Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Sect Alliance—
The air was cold and tense. Towering pillars surrounded the room, radiating majesty that contrasted sharply with the anxiety on the faces of those present.
So Lin He knelt before the leader of the Alliance, Cheon Ji. To his left stood five Murim rulers, present for the urgent meeting.
"Welcome back. Thank you for your efforts," said Cheon Ji, his voice calm yet full of weight.
"Thank you, Master, for your kind words," replied Lin He, bowing respectfully.
But Cheon Ji's expression shifted to confusion. He noticed Lin He had returned alone.
"Where are Lu Zhou and Mo Tian?" he asked, his tone now more serious.
Lin He exhaled slowly. "Yes, Master. While investigating the mysterious group, we engaged in a battle in Duyin City. We confirmed they are part of the Dark Blood organization—an underground alliance with ambitions to resurrect the Legend himself, Seo Whan. One of their members turned out to be Lu Zhou's long-lost son. After the fight, Lu Zhou went after his son to confront him."
"What did you say?" Cheon Ji's eyes widened, tension visible on his face. "This is a grave matter. The Legend, Seo Whan, was the most ruthless ruler in Murim history. He used both the Alliance and the Demon Sect as tools of slaughter—for fun. He wasn't human... he was a demon!"
Cheon Ji fell silent for a moment, then fixed his sharp gaze on Lin He.
"Investigate this organization further. We cannot afford to be careless."
"Understood, Master."
"And… what about Mo Tian?" Cheon Ji asked again.
"Master Mo Tian is currently in Duyin City, helping the villagers repair the damage. He will be staying there for a while," Lin He answered.
"Very well. Thank you for your report. We'll hold a follow-up meeting after Mo Tian returns. For now, focus all efforts on uncovering Dark Blood."
"Understood, Master!" they replied in unison.
The meeting adjourned, and they all left the hall to return to their respective duties.
---
Meanwhile, in a dark and secluded place…
Inside the main chamber of the Demon Fire Sect, the atmosphere was far more oppressive. Flames danced on the pillars, casting flickering light across the furious face of Yan Zhian, the sect leader.
He was surrounded by his Five Heavenly Generals, all bowing, not daring to meet his burning gaze.
"Is it true… that Xuan Di betrayed us?" he asked coldly.
"Yes, Master. After a thorough investigation, it was confirmed—Xuan Di has joined Dark Blood," one of them replied, trembling.
The tension thickened. The flames roared higher. A murderous aura radiated from Yan Zhian's body—suffocating the room and making it hard to breathe.
"That traitor… How dare he betray me!" he roared.
"Wipe out this disgrace. Erase all traitors from our sect!"
"Yes, Master!" they responded in unison.
The Five Heavens and the Demon Fire forces prepared to purge the betrayal from within.
---
Elsewhere, in a hidden corner of the Sect Alliance territory…
In a small, untouched room, two men stood, backs to the light.
"We need to start preparing our next move," one of them said, his voice shaking.
"For now, we meet with Lord Ci jheon. Every decision must be carefully considered. We can't afford recklessness," replied the other, calmer.
"But our presence is starting to draw suspicion. We can't move as freely as before..."
Their conversation stretched into the night, cloaked in a growing unease.
After making sure no one was watching, the two quietly left the place—carrying with them a scheme of betrayal that could reshape Murim forever.
---