Cha Seokdu led the elites and ran through the Underworld Alliance.

He already knew that the assassins had swept through the Underworld Alliance once.

Since it was an act to divert attention, there was no way they would appear again.

Even so, he led dozens of fully armed personnel around the Underworld Alliance, issuing meaningless instructions.

"Leader! Our Sect Leader has...!"

"I will definitely catch the culprit! Light all the torches inside and collect the weapons. If anyone resists, take action first and report later!"

This was an opportunity to show who the true Leader of the Underworld Alliance was.

It was also a stage to imprint the fact that Cha Seokdu was not just a temporary Leader.

Heroes are born in turbulent times, and trust comes from competence.

Following the one who decides what to do in unexpected situations is the most instinctive trait of humans.

That was no different even for the Underworld, which was full of rebellious tendencies.

"Announcing to everyone in the alliance! We are currently tracking the culprit, so rest assured!"

"Your command!"

"Your command!!"

Those who disliked Cha Seokdu came to like him, and those who liked him came to trust him blindly.

And those beliefs gathered and gathered to give birth to an emotion called 'awe'.

The Underworld figures' trust in the Underworld Alliance, which had been nothing more than half-baked until now, and in Cha Seokdu skyrocketed.

Cha Seokdu also felt a sense of satisfaction at the changed public opinion.

"Will this be enough?"

"Let's go around one or two more times."

"Again? I thought you said they already all ran away."

At his question, his subordinate firmly shook his head.

"Leader. Do you know how many busybodies are gathered here?"

"What busybodies... Why are you suddenly using difficult words and making a fuss? They're just drunkards."

"... Anyway, today's events must spread throughout the world through them."

If awe had been drawn out to solidify internal unity, now that power had to be expanded externally. Only then could the Underworld Alliance take root as an official organization.

Realizing his subordinate's intentions, Cha Seokdu obediently nodded.

"Got it."

"Oh right, and please do check the wounds of the injured as well. Why do you keep just walking past them?"

"You saw it too. Those are clearly not wounds from an attack, but from them fighting among themselves. Those guys don't just injure. They simply kill."

His subordinate's brow furrowed slightly.

"Leader, just what is the identity of those assassins? I've honestly never seen such skill before. They were incredibly clean, incomparable to Salmak."

"..."

Cha Seokdu was about to absentmindedly answer his subordinate's question before stopping himself.

Even if he told him, would he even understand?

To think their identity was an organization that disappeared five hundred years ago.

Even he himself couldn't properly believe it.

If he hadn't figured out their identity right before his eyes.

He would have thought Jin Sowoon had finally gone mad.

It was definitely the martial arts of the Four Emperors Peak.

The culprit who acted as an escort had displayed his martial arts in front of Cha Seokdu several times whenever friction arose during the founding process of the Underworld Alliance.

Without a doubt, it was exactly the same as the Four Emperors Peak's, and even when he retraced his memories, there wasn't a single strange point.

But.

When such a guy peeled off a layer of skin, he transformed into someone else.

If it was exactly as Jin Sowoon said, it meant they were the exact same guys who appeared on the Puyang Plains...

He regretted that he hadn't been able to thoroughly investigate what happened on the Puyang Plains back then.

At this point, his head slowly started to ache.

He had thought he only needed to keep the Murim Alliance in check, but to think there was another faction.

His head throbbed at the thought of having to redraw the future of the Underworld Alliance.

Right then.

"Leader..."

"Hmm?"

His subordinate pointed a finger in a certain direction.

"Over there."

The place his subordinate pointed to was Dam-ak's quarters. There, the delegation, excluding Jin Sowoon, along with Hyeoltu and Yeom Gwibi, were gathered.

He had received the report that Dam-ak had been rescued... but why are they acting like that?

Cha Seokdu moved his feet without delay.

"Let's go take a look."

Soon arriving by their side, Cha Seokdu asked for the reason.

"What's the matter, Elder?"

The Murim Alliance's delegation, Hyeoltu, and Yeom Gwibi, who were the meritorious contributors who saved the Underworld Alliance from crisis, looked at Cha Seokdu with despondent expressions.

"Jin Sowoon is..."

However.

Hyeoltu, who was answering Cha Seokdu's question, soon shut his mouth.

Sensing that the atmosphere was somehow strange, he turned his gaze to see Tang Seo-hee shedding large, heavy tears, while Ak Byeongbi and Ilmyeong's faces were filled with sorrow.

A situation where no one could easily open their mouths.

Ultimately, Yeom Gwibi continued speaking.

"... That child, Jin Sowoon, is dead."

"What?"

Cha Seokdu double-checked to see if he had heard correctly.

"What do you mean by that?"

Jin Sowoon is dead?

That guy?

Just who was Jin Sowoon?

He was an incredibly tenacious guy who survived both the Demonic Spirit Plateau and the standard exam.

He was a guy who stubbornly survived in places where others wouldn't have survived even if they had ten lives.

But for such a guy to suddenly die.

"... Has it been confirmed?"

At Cha Seokdu's words, not only Yeom Gwibi but also Hyeoltu furrowed their brows.

"Then how else could those guys have come out of that place?"

In one corner of Dam-ak's quarters, which Hyeoltu pointed at, an ominous red wall was wavering.

It was so red, like hellfire, that even Cha Seokdu couldn't help but let out a groan.

As Hyeoltu said, it might be obvious without even looking.

But even so.

"I will have to confirm it with my own eyes."

Cha Seokdu's eyes shone with determination.

* * *

The first thing Cha Seokdu did after creating the Underworld Alliance was gather formation masters.

Because he never wanted to experience the nightmare from the Demonic Spirit Plateau again.

But the nature of the organization known as the Underworld Alliance was the problem.

Would scholarly formation masters, who were already reluctant to immerse themselves in Jianghu, come to the Underworld Alliance where their safety wasn't even guaranteed?

But Cha Seokdu didn't give up.

If you didn't have teeth, you just had to make do with your gums.

He gathered degenerates who had fallen into gambling from among those who had been affiliated with martial sects related to formation arrays, such as the Zhuge Clan and the Mount Mao Sect.

As gamblers usually were, most were in massive debt and felt their lives were threatened, so bringing them in wasn't all that difficult.

He only needed to pay off their creditors and take over their debt bonds.

Because their creditor was Cha Seokdu, the personnel of the Black Dharma Hall formed in this way displayed abilities beyond what they had originally shown in their martial sects.

They managed to find the Gate of Life and the Gate of Death in just two hours.

"However, this is just the beginning. To break the formation, we must start with a thorough analysis..."

"I heard that if you strike the Gate of Life and the Gate of Death at the same time, a weak formation array will break. Is that correct?"

"T-That's correct, but we don't know how much power the formation array holds, and if we make even the slightest mistake, the person inside could..."

Cha Seokdu didn't listen any further to the gambler's words.

It was a formation array hastily set up for an ambush.

Even if it was strong, how strong could it possibly be?

However, there was one problem: one person couldn't destroy the Gate of Life and the Gate of Death simultaneously.

Right then.

"I will join you."

Hyeoltu stepped forward.

"Aren't you exhausted?"

"Do you think I could be compared to the likes of you?"

With that, Hyeoltu and Cha Seokdu struck the formation array at the same time, and exactly as Cha Seokdu expected, the formation array shattered.

And inside it...

"Ugh..."

They were able to find Jin Sowoon collapsed and shedding blood.

"S-Save me... fuck."

Jin Sowoon, who had passed out, was sending out a plea for help like a groan.

Feeling goosebumps rise all over his body, Cha Seokdu shouted.

"... He's!"

"What?"

Cha Seokdu shouted again.

"He's alive... The guy is alive...!"

At that moment, the delegation group collapsed to their knees in relief.

"As expected, there was no way Jin Sowoon, the Black Dragon Stronghold Master and Vice Leader of the Underworld Alliance, would die so easily!"

"Namu Amitabha..."

Not only that, but the Underworld Alliance members gathered at Dam-ak's quarters also let out cheers in unison.

The sight of the sacrificial and devoted Murim Alliance delegation member who rescued Dam-ak, who received the absolute support of the young Underworld figures, struck a chord in their hearts.

"Jin Sowoon!"

"Jin Sowoon!"

"Black Flame Dragon!"

"Black Flame Dragon!"

Soon, the martial title Jin Sowoon hated so much began to spread widely by word of mouth, echoing throughout the Underworld Alliance.

* * *

Zhuge Somyeong visited Hyuk Mugang's office.

"A message has arrived from Muyeong."

"What did it say happened?"

"He said that unknown entities had been blocking the messenger pigeons and couriers around the Underworld Alliance area."

"Unknown entities?"

Hyuk Mugang furrowed his brow.

Had Zhuge Somyeong ever spoken this unclearly?

Zhuge Somyeong nodded.

"He said they couldn't find a single trace of where they belonged."

At Zhuge Somyeong's bitter reaction, Hyuk Mugang could predict who those unknown entities were.

Zhuge Somyeong was probably having a similar thought.

But as someone who handled information, he didn't voice it unless he was absolutely certain.

"Furthermore, culprits who learned the martial arts of the Orthodox factions had been hiding inside the Underworld Alliance."

"What!"

Hyuk Mugang's body flinched.

Culprits from the Orthodox faction in a situation where information was cut off.

Hyuk Mugang urgently asked.

"Shouldn't we clear up any potential misunderstandings? We need to inform them that they weren't entities sent by us."

It was a situation perfectly suited for the long-accumulated hostility between the Orthodox faction and the Underworld to explode.

He couldn't be certain if the delegation sent by the Murim Alliance would be safe.

Because it was a situation that could not only threaten the safety of the delegation but also lead to a war.

"Did he say the delegation is alright?"

Looking at Hyuk Mugang, who looked like he would rush to Shanxi at any moment while fidgeting in his seat, Zhuge Somyeong let out a small sigh.

"He said they are alright."

"Could it be that they are being detained?"

Even if such an opportunity arose, the Underworld Alliance wouldn't be able to wage an all-out war.

However, there was a possibility they might use the delegation as sacrificial lambs to appease the anger of the Underworld Murim.

"He said that isn't the case, so you don't need to worry."

"I don't need to worry?"

Hyuk Mugang's eyes were full of doubt.

Even just roughly hearing about it, unusual events were taking place.

If he could notice this much, Zhuge Somyeong shouldn't be ignorant of the severity of the situation either...

How could he be so carefree?

As if sensing his doubt, Zhuge Somyeong added.

"He said the delegation found the culprits who had hidden in the Underworld Alliance."

"What?"

Just what was this about?

To think it wasn't the people inside the Underworld Alliance who found the culprits, but the delegation dispatched from the Murim Alliance.

... If the culprits were using the martial arts of the Orthodox faction, wouldn't it be the perfect situation for them to be framed as suspects instead?

"To be exact, he said Jin Sowoon found the culprits hidden inside the Underworld Alliance."

"Jin Sowoon? Why? No, how on earth?"

"..."

Zhuge Somyeong's lips twitched as if he didn't even want to say it.

Seeing that sight, Hyuk Mugang grew even more anxious.

"Chief Strategist."

At Hyuk Mugang's urging, Zhuge Somyeong finally spoke.

"... He said he found them using mind-reading."

"... What?"

Silence hung in the room.

Hyuk Mugang unconsciously furrowed his brow.

Did he hear incorrectly?

"Mind-reading?"

"Yes."

"... But isn't the Taiyi Sect a Daoist sect?"

"Alliance Leader..."

Whether it was a Daoist sect or a Buddhist sect, shouldn't he feel it was strange from the start that they caught the culprit with something nonsensical like mind-reading(?)?

"Ah, wait, this isn't right. Just what on earth does that mean?"

"I don't know either. That was all that was written in the message Muyeong sent."

"..."

He was glad that the severed information had resumed, but he couldn't paint a proper picture with just fragmentary information, and absurd information at that.

Moreover, Muyeong hadn't even provided a proper explanation while writing a ridiculous story about mind-reading.

Zhuge Somyeong thought that as soon as Muyeong returned, he would have to educate the communication escorts on how to report information.

"Anyway, thanks to catching the culprits, he said they cleared up the misunderstanding that the Murim Alliance planted spies."

"... That was a close call."

A situation where the Blood Cult still remained in Sichuan.

If a war with the Underworld Alliance also broke out, the Murim Alliance might face an unprecedented crisis.

So even if he hadn't known, clearing up the misunderstanding was truly an incredible feat.

"By the way..."

Hyuk Mugang, who had been deep in thought for a moment, opened his mouth.

"Did he really say he used mind-reading?"

"... Alliance Leader."

Hyuk Mugang felt like he would go crazy from curiosity.

If not that, then how on earth could someone dropped right in the middle of enemy lines and being framed as a suspect find the hidden culprits?

"Aren't you curious, Chief Strategist?"

"..."

Seeing Zhuge Somyeong's lips trembling, his feelings didn't seem much different from his own.

"Now is not the time to discuss that."

Seeing him add the phrase 'now', it seemed he intended to dig into it when Jin Sowoon returned.

Thinking that, Hyuk Mugang nodded.

"That's right. The matters in Sichuan are taking longer than expected, after all."

Winter was coming.

If they dragged out the war any longer, the Murim Alliance might be shaken to its roots.

Even so, they couldn't back down with the Blood Cult right in front of them.

Because he had absolutely no idea what would happen if they left those who used bizarre sorcery behind them.

Hyuk Mugang carefully sought his opinion.

"Even if the misunderstanding at the Underworld Alliance has been cleared up, we still can't make the Underworld sects in Sichuan back down, right?"

A situation where they could neither advance nor retreat.

He knew there was no hope, but experiencing it anew like this was incredibly frustrating.

Zhuge Somyeong, who had been lost in thought for a moment, spoke with a firm voice.

"Alliance Leader, let us deal with the Blood Cult."

"... Will that be alright? The Underworld sects in Sichuan will aim for our backs."

"He says the Underworld Alliance will support the matters in Sichuan."

"What?"

Hyuk Mugang's eyes widened.

Zhuge Somyeong calmly continued speaking.

"He said the Murim Alliance's delegation signed a treaty at this founding ceremony, declaring the Blood Cult as a public enemy, and simultaneously promised to maintain peace with the Murim Alliance until the Blood Cult is eradicated."

Hyuk Mugang's mouth fell wide open.

Just not getting stabbed in the back on the battlefield would be something to be incredibly grateful for, but a declaration as a public enemy.

Even if it was minor, if the Underworld Murim even provided support, they could finish off the Blood Cult in an even shorter time.

"Just what on earth does that mean?"

They said if you heard a story that was too good, it sounded like a lie.

Right now, Hyuk Mugang's feelings were exactly like that.

Zhuge Somyeong also let out a scoffing laugh as if he found it absurd.

"He says it's the truth. He said Jin Sowoon led the treaty."

"Jin Sowoon?"

"Since it is a report submitted by our friend Ak Byeongbi, it must be certain."

"If it's Ak Byeongbi..."

Hyuk Mugang had also heard about the incident between the Ak Clan and Jin Sowoon.

Considering that the rift of emotions must have been dug deep due to that incident, Ak Byeongbi's report wouldn't be a false report with fabricated words just to praise achievements.

"Just what on earth happened at the Underworld Alliance?"

"I don't know either."

Because Ak Byeongbi was also from the Inspection Pavilion, he didn't know what kind of information the Mantong Bureau needed.

Zhuge Somyeong desperately felt the need to transcend pavilions and halls and unify the reporting format at this opportunity.

"Anyway, he said that's what happened. Therefore, please observe the movements of the Underworld sects in Sichuan for a moment and then deal with the Blood Cult. A harsh winter will come soon."

Hyuk Mugang, who had been silent for a long time, nodded.

"We owe a debt to that child, Jin Sowoon."

"... Yes, well. Even though the process is highly suspicious."

He achieved an unimaginable outcome through completely unexpected methods.

For Zhuge Somyeong, he couldn't possibly compare Jin Sowoon on the same level as the other rising stars.

Even if it was the incredible Yong So-ah.

Because Yong So-ah's martial arts wouldn't be able to achieve such a thing.

"Hmm... I shouldn't say this, but hearing about the treaty makes me even greedier."

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean an alliance. Not to mention the Murim Alliance, shouldn't all of Jianghu prepare for a huge war ahead?"

The Demonic Cult, which kept revealing its traces not only in the Murim Alliance but also in the Underworld Alliance.

The events happening right now were nothing more than a prelude to what would happen in the future.

And when that time came, the distinction between Orthodox and Underworld would be meaningless.

To prepare for that time, he wanted to ride the same boat as the Underworld Alliance for the time being.

Zhuge Somyeong slowly shook his head side to side.

"There are also many in the Underworld Alliance who gathered because they want to wage war with the Murim Alliance. I don't think Cha Seokdu has completely dominated even them."

"Hmm... I guess it would be too much?"

"Yes."

Despite Zhuge Somyeong's immediate answer, Hyuk Mugang continued speaking once more.

"It would make me a thief to wish for more here, wouldn't it?"

"..."

"Even Jin Sowoon wouldn't be able to handle that much, right?"

This gentleman...?

Zhuge Somyeong somehow felt that Hyuk Mugang was like a thief.