On the surface, China still looked like the thriving superpower it had always been—streets busy, officials working, the world none the wiser. But beneath that façade, the nation was rotting from within. Every high-ranking figure, from commentator Wang Huning to the senior members of the Communist Party, had already fallen under the control of demonic influence.
Their bodies remained human, but their wills were no longer their own.
The situation wasn't unfamiliar to Lee Seong-jun. He'd seen this before—on the Thousand Continents, when nations collapsed one by one after demonic corruption took root. But knowing didn't make it easier to accept.
'There's no visible magi like with Jang Ga-ori,' he thought grimly, his eyes narrowing. 'But possession isn't the only way to enslave a man's heart.'
The demons could corrupt without touching flesh—by threatening what someone loved most, by offering wealth beyond measure, or by preying upon ambition and desire.
There was no guarantee that Jang Jeo-han, the envoy who had begged for his help, wasn't already a puppet.
Lee Seong-jun's silence was heavy, his gaze sharp. At last, Jang Jeo-han spoke, his voice urgent and defensive.
"I understand how suspicious it seems that I survived while the others fell. But I possess a skill—one that shields me from all forms of mental interference. That's how I avoided their control."
He looked sincere—his voice steady, his eyes unwavering. Yet, sincerity meant nothing when demons were involved. They were masters of deception.
Lee Seong-jun's mind turned. The simplest path was not to trust words but to verify truth directly.
"Very well," he murmured.
A low hum filled the air as darkness rippled outward. From the shadows, a man emerged—a tall figure clad in a pitch-black robe. His staff, adorned with a blood-red gem, pulsed faintly.
"Unseen," Lee Seong-jun commanded.
Bi-hyeong, the Eternal Magic Emperor—greatest sorcerer of the modern age—lifted his staff. At once, the shadows gathered like a whirlpool and swallowed Jang Jeo-han whole.
The air grew cold. This spell could unravel even the mind of a Murim Alliance elder. For an S-rank hunter like Jang Jeo-han, unconsciousness or agony was the expected outcome.
But when the darkness receded, Jang Jeo-han stood unbroken, eyes still calm.
'So, it wasn't a lie after all,' Lee Seong-jun thought, though doubt lingered like a shadow.
Jang Jeo-han met his gaze. "Can you trust me now?"
Lee said nothing. The test confirmed his resistance, but not the truth of his words. The possibility of manipulation remained.
"I'll think about it," he said at last. "You may go."
Bi-hyeong waved his staff once more. Shadows engulfed Jang Jeo-han, and his figure vanished into the night.
Lee stood alone, staring at the map spread before him. If China truly had fallen into demonic hands, it would be catastrophic. The country's military, its size, its global reach—all of it made the threat immense.
For someone like Lee Seong-jun, who sought peace not only for Earth but for Korea and his family, this was the worst outcome imaginable.
'If China falls completely, war is inevitable,' he thought.
He wanted to intervene directly, to strike at the source—but the risks were too great.
'They're watching me,' he realized. 'Not just me—Anna too. If either of us disappears from their sight, they'll know we're moving.'
Even if he flew to China now, destroying the demons' network in one strike was impossible.
'We'll have to handle this indirectly.'
A faint smirk touched his lips. 'The Returnee Union.'
Though relations between the Korean Hunters Association and the World Returnees Union were tense, that very distance made them perfect for the task. The demons wouldn't expect them to cooperate.
'They have the strength to deal with this,' he thought. 'Theodore, Julian, and the others—all capable of handling high-ranking demons.'
There was only one flaw.
'They can't tell demons apart from humans.'
He frowned, mind already spinning through strategies when his phone vibrated sharply across the table.
Woof—Woof—Woof—
The sender's name flashed on the screen: Baek Mu-jin.
Normally, he would've ignored it—Mu-jin was prone to sending boastful updates about his progress. But this time, something about the attached image caught his eye.
A faint aura of vitality shimmered within the photo—subtle, but unmistakable.
'This energy…' Lee's pulse quickened. It was life essence—the same force he used to detect demons.
Without hesitation, he hit the call button.
The next afternoon, under a pale sky above Beijing, three figures gathered in the heart of the Forbidden City.
Baek Mu-jin. Julian. Theodore.
Each stood in silence, tension hanging in the air.
"Tch," Baek Mu-jin clicked his tongue, glancing between them. "Working with these two again? What is Seong-jun thinking?"
Julian's lip curled. "You've grown bold. Weren't you the kid who couldn't even meet my eyes back then?"
Baek Mu-jin's expression darkened. "Say that again, and I'll make sure you regret it."
Julian smirked. "You can try."
The air between them crackled, spiritual energy gathering dangerously.
"Enough." Theodore stepped forward, his voice low but commanding. "Can either of you handle the consequences of a fight here? Imagine Lee Seong-jun's reaction if you let the demons escape because you couldn't keep your tempers in check."
The two men froze. The thought of facing Lee's wrath sobered them instantly.
Baek Mu-jin cleared his throat. "...Fine. Let's just get this done."
Julian crossed his arms. "They say those who accept demonic blessings gain monstrous strength. But in the end, they're still just corrupted humans. Children playing with fire."
Baek Mu-jin nodded. "For once, we agree."
Theodore exhaled in relief. "Good. But don't underestimate them. One mistake, and Seong-jun will have our heads."
Both nodded grimly. The name Lee Seong-jun alone was enough to steel their resolve.
"Then it's settled," Theodore said, flexing his hands. "Let's move."
A sudden taang! rang out as Theodore launched himself into the sky, slicing through the air with a sonic boom. Baek Mu-jin and Julian followed instantly, streaking upward like comets.
Below, the Chinese guards never even noticed.
Their destination: Zhongnanhai, the political heart of China—where the nation's leaders and the possessed chairman awaited.
Inside the grand chamber of Zhongnanhai, chaos reigned.
"It was a mistake to send that fool, Jang Ga-ori!" one official roared.
"To have our identity exposed by a mere mortal!" another hissed.
"Now is not the time for blame," a third snapped. "We must act quickly and stabilize the situation."
Others shouted for war, their eyes glowing faintly with demonic corruption.
Then, silence fell as Wang Huning—the commentator turned leader—rose from his seat. His voice was calm, but it carried authority.
"Enough. We will remain still. Breathe. Wait for the right moment."
Half the room frowned. The demons within them thirsted for conflict.
"Why hesitate?" one sneered. "With our blessing, we can destroy them easily!"
"Yes! Crush Korea! Crush Lee Seong-jun!"
Wang's expression hardened. "If any of you wish to challenge my command, speak now—and I will personally report your names to the Great Leader."
That silenced them.
Though resentment burned in their eyes, none dared to defy him.
Inwardly, Wang Huning understood their rage. His own blood boiled for war. Yet he remembered the warning that echoed in his mind—the leader's words carved into his soul.
'With the power you hold now, you cannot defeat Lee Seong-jun.'
Even demons, who viewed humans as insects, had chosen caution.
When the meeting adjourned, Wang rose from his chair, jaw tight.
And then—
KWA-KWANG!
A thunderous explosion rocked the room. The floor trembled, dust raining from the ceiling.
The true battle for China… had just begun.