Cale responded, thinking it had been a long time since he heard the name 'Kim Haeil' come out of the Heavenly Demon's mouth.
“Yes, here I am, Cale Henituse.”
“I understand.”
The Heavenly Demon was not the only one who crossed the first temporal portal between the Central Plains and Apitoyu.
“Hehe.”
The strongest warrior of the Empire, Fist King Mok Hyeon.
“It's been a while since we last met, Young Master.”
The representative of the Murim Alliance, Jegal Miryeo.
"……."
The Leader of the Tang Family, Tang Yu, stood there silently.
"Wow! How interesting!"
The son of the Evil Alliance Leader, Sima Jung, was also part of the first group.
“Where is my friend?”
Of course, Sima Jung was looking for Tunka.
The four seemed surprised to see Cale and the people from the Black Castle, but soon they quickly hid their surprise, like the Heavenly Demon. As representatives of their respective factions, they were quite good at hiding their emotions.
“Wow, how interesting! It's the first time I've seen a mansion with this style! Oh, Master Choi Han, it's been a while since we've seen each other!”
Except for Sima Jung. He was simply transparent. Perhaps that's why he would adapt better. However, even he froze for a moment.
"Um."
When he saw Raon.
“We haven't seen each other in a while!”
When Raon greeted cheerfully.
“Sima Jung, have you seen me too?”
As Raon wondered if he had shown himself to Sima Jung in the Central Plains, Sima Jung, with a serious face, approached Raon, who was floating in the air and flapping his wings. The Martial Artists of the Central Plains and Cale's group watched. Cale's group was quite large. Although some had gone to the Central Plains, others like Sheritt, Mila, Rosalyn, and Lock had not.
As everyone focused on Sima Jung's serious expression, he respectfully knelt before Raon.
"I greet the Great Elder."
Then he knelt deeply, as if greeting an Emperor. Cale watched as the eyes of the former Lord Sheritt trembled at that moment. Sima Jung continued to speak with great respect.
“My father ordered me to convey his greetings and to show great respect.”
"?"
Raon tilted his head.
"Sima Jung, why am I your Great Elder? I'm only seven years old!"
Sima Jung shook his head.
"It's not like that. You are my father's master. I should address you with a higher title, but I am a bit foolish and can only call you that. Please forgive me."
"Um. It's fine by me!"
"I want to do it. Great Elder."
"Then do it!"
Raon replied cheerfully, and Sima Jung, relieved, carefully got up and stood next to Raon. As Cale watched Sima Jung's unusual respectful attitude, he heard a voice in his head.
It was Fist King Mok Hyeon.
-Before coming here, he was beaten by Sima Pyeong for three days and nights.
Ah, now Cale understood.
"Ron."
At Cale's call, Ron, with an additional bandage on his forehead, approached. Cale glanced at Ron and asked for a favor.
"Please, guide these guests."
They had prepared rooms for each one. Although the Black Castle couldn't accommodate everyone when the second group arrived, the five from the first group were easy to accommodate.
"We'll talk in detail later."
Jegal Miryeo of the Murim Alliance hesitated for a moment but then nodded.
"Alright. We don't want to make mistakes by moving hastily."
Starting with her, everyone followed Ron. Only the Leader of the Tang Family, Tang Yu, stood still, staring in one direction. Cale remembered what Jungwon had said about the Tang Family.
"The Sichuan Region has been devastated! The Dragon Lord destroyed everything! I'm fleeing right now! - Jungwon."
Saying that the Sichuan Region had been devastated meant that the Tang Family was not safe. The Leader of the Tang Family, known as the Poison Queen, was staring fixedly at something. Seeing where she was looking, Cale's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Nyaa?"
Hong tilted his head and looked at Tang Yu. He didn't seem to be on guard, but rather curious and interested.
"Sniff sniff."
Hong sniffed and stealthily approached Tang Yu, circling her. Tang Yu watched quietly as Hong put a paw on her shoe and said.
"It smells like familiar poison!"
"I see."
Tang Yu nodded and continued in a soft tone.
"So it's you."
The poison that Cale had stolen, or rather received, from the Tang Family was one of the Five of the Nine Kings. The poison absorbed by Hong had become more powerful and lethal.
"Nyaa."
On approached Hong and Tang Yu.
"I'll show you the way."
On, normally distant, was unusually friendly. Tang Yu, being the Leader of the Tang Family, was an expert in poisons, but also in hidden weapons and daggers, similar to Ron.
"Is it okay?"
Cale and Ron nodded at On's question. In fact, Ron stared at Tang Yu and added.
"We might have an interesting conversation."
"...It seems so."
Tang Yu smiled briefly but quickly disappeared. Before opening the temporal portal, Cale had received detailed information about the state of the Tang Family from Jungwon.
"I heard that half of their members have died."
Being a closed power, most of its members were relatives, and saying that half had died meant that they had lost family or relatives. Cale ignored the fatigue under the Poison Queen's eyes for the moment. Instead, he silently watched as they left and then headed elsewhere.
"I'll show you to your room."
He separated the Heavenly Demon from the others.
"Oh."
The Heavenly Demon smiled with interest.
"Why are you guiding only me?"
Cale responded naturally.
"Your disciples. Aren't you interested in seeing them?"
Finally, the expression of the Heavenly Demon changed. Seeing the interest on his normally relaxed face, Cale guided him to the room assigned to the Heavenly Demon and opened the door.
And there inside-
"I greet the Master."
Clopeh Sekka, with white hair and green eyes, bowed with evident elegance and nobility.
"Um."
And the Sword Master Hannah stopped and bowed her head slightly.
"T-Thank you."
Oh. Cale saw Hannah act so respectfully for the first time, clearly grateful to the Heavenly Demon.
"…"
The Heavenly Demon observed both of them silently with crossed arms.
The Heavenly Demon watched the two in silence, a smile not only showing interest but immense enjoyment.
"Disciples, eh-"
He chuckled briefly. Attempting to comb his hand through his hair, the Heavenly Demon noticed the breadth of his sleeves. And there, in front of him, were two individuals with a very different appearance from his: one who, having inherited his power, dared to call him "master" without reservation, and another who, having received his power, merely timidly thanked him.
"I wondered to whom Choi Han would give his power."
But it's really...
"Interesting."
The two before him fascinated him. The Heavenly Demon's gaze shifted to the Sword Master, Hannah.
"She merely swings her sword thoughtlessly."
"What?"
Hannah looked at him with an expression of disbelief. Seeing her puzzled face, the Heavenly Demon gave her a smile.
"I said you merely swing your sword thoughtlessly."
"What?"
Just as Hannah was about to refute with a bewildered expression...
"And that's how it should be done."
"!"
She stopped. The Heavenly Demon approached Hannah. Watching her with her body covered in dark veins like spiderwebs, the Heavenly Demon spoke calmly, filling the room with his low voice.
"Is the sword a work of art? No, it's just a tool for killing, hunting, and fighting. That's why swinging it thoughtlessly is also a valid response."
Hannah, meeting the Heavenly Demon's gaze, looked away. Her face showed gratitude and confusion in equal parts.
"Yes, I'm clumsy with the sword. Satisfied?"
Hannah muttered. The Heavenly Demon didn't wipe his smile off in front of someone as transparent as her.
"No."
He shook his head.
"Just because you swing the sword thoughtlessly doesn't mean you're foolish. It's just your way of handling the sword."
..."
Hannah began to look at the Heavenly Demon differently.
"You're quite shrewd."
The Heavenly Demon didn't know Hannah, but seeing the calluses on her hands, her posture, and her energy, he spoke without thinking.
"You must have grasped the essence of the sword."
His gaze moved from Hannah to Cale and those who came with him.
"Your master is not me."
The Heavenly Demon's eyes met Choi Han's.
"I suppose resembling that guy isn't so bad."
The Heavenly Demon's face filled with interest.
"Pretending to be docile but cunning. And though feigning simplicity, he's someone who reflects a lot."
Choi Han let out a light laugh. Hannah also shrugged with a more relaxed expression.
"What a pair you make."
Neither Choi Han nor Hannah added anything more. In fact, Hannah murmured in a tone that seemed to complain, but she was clearly content.
"I'm not foolish. I received a lot of early education."
As a half-Santa, Hannah's wisdom surpassed that of many, and she had extensive knowledge about etiquette. However, she instinctively avoided showing that knowledge, as she didn't want to remember that time.
The Heavenly Demon, finding her interesting, averted his gaze.
Clopeh Sekka, standing like a tranquil lake. Seeing him, the Heavenly Demon stopped smiling.
"And you are a snake."
Oh.
Cale, who was silently listening, was surprised.
-Human, the Heavenly Demon is impressive!
Raon was impressed too. Clopeh, with a haughty smile, looked at the Heavenly Demon. And the Heavenly Demon, without a smile, stared back at him. He approached Clopeh, studying him as if he were a curious object.
"Truly fascinating."
He said casually.
"It cannot be known whether you will become an Imoogi or a Dragon."
However, his eyes gleamed sharply, like a serene river. The Heavenly Demon smiled again.
"You."
He addressed Clopeh.
"You will become a formidable sword, whether you're an Imoogi or a Dragon."
Regardless of his destiny, he would be an impressive sword. It was a great compliment.
"Choi Han."
The Heavenly Demon, looking at Clopeh, spoke to Choi Han.
"You must be careful."
Clopeh's smile deepened slightly, like a shadow cast on the surface of a lake.
"This guy might surpass you."
The Heavenly Demon let out a brief laugh at seeing that shadow. Then he moved his hand.
Sring.
He drew his sword from his waist.
"By the way, Choi Han, do you remember our promise?"
The Heavenly Demon had promised a duel with Choi Han. And Choi Han asked the Heavenly Demon:
"Have you found your way?"
Before leaving the Central Plains, Choi Han had shared a drink with the Heavenly Demon and told him:
'When you find your way, draw your sword against me.'
To that, the Heavenly Demon replied:
"A little."
Oh.
A sigh of amazement escaped Cale's mouth.
-Human, the Heavenly Demon is the strongest in the Central Plains!
Raon was impressed too.
Uuu—uu--
A reddish energy surged around the Heavenly Demon. Hannah's and Clopeh's eyes gleamed. Especially Clopeh's, which shone intensely. Choi Han's aura, a similar energy emanated from the Heavenly Demon. Although the depth didn't match that of Choi Han's.
"At least I've found the entrance to the way."
In any case, the Heavenly Demon had found his way and could now draw his sword in front of Choi Han.
'It really was a good idea to bring people from the Central Plains.'
And Cale, seeing his growing power and stronger allies, smiled satisfactorily.
-Human, why do you have that expression before doing something clever?
He ignored Raon's words. He just smiled even wider.
-----------------
But soon, his smile vanished. The Three-Star Dragon, Exion. Back at his mansion, Cale finally had a private meeting with him. Exion's words made Cale focus.
"The Dragon Lord also has a weakness."
