Chapter 163

Chapter 163
## Chapter 163: Hidden Chronicles (3)

Sima Geon moved past Dang Cheonhwa with a focused stride, heading toward the Bloodlight Demon Emperor while Cheol Woo maintained a steady position just slightly behind his shoulder.

In response, the Eighteen Crossers, under Gwak Chung’s command, scrambled into a defensive wall to shield their master. The Black-and-White Twin Assassins appeared instantly at his flanks, their expressions tight with hostility as they glared at the approaching pair.

The Bloodlight Demon Emperor signaled his subordinates to remain calm with a casual wave of his hand. He then watched the warriors of Biheaven Fortress desperately gathering the remains of Sang Gwancheon, letting out a sharp laugh.

“You haven’t lost your edge. I didn’t anticipate you’d execute a group leader with such lack of mercy.”

“His life was forfeit even if I had stood still. Wasn’t it?”

“Quite true. I was actually grateful you cleared the path, as I intended to settle his account personally.”

The Bloodlight Demon Emperor appeared sincerely disappointed.

“Now then, what is your next move?”

The atmosphere grew heavy with anticipation at the Emperor’s inquiry. The Eighteen Crossers looked ready to spring into action, their combat auras surging violently in anticipation of Sima Geon’s reply.

“Why are these gnats showing their teeth? Do you have a death wish?”

Cheol Woo spat the words at the gathered Crossers.

“I will deal with you myself, boy,” the bald monk declared, stepping to the forefront of the group.

“You think you’re up to the task, old man?” Cheol Woo countered, his intent to kill radiating like a physical chill.

“We shall see if that tongue stays so sharp once I’ve severed your head.”

“I admire the grit. Just keep in mind that many who spoke like that are currently rotting in the ground.”

“You arrogant brat!”

The monk, unable to endure Cheol Woo’s taunting, reached for a projectile—

Suddenly, a terrifying pressure clamped down on him, freezing him mid-motion. It was a sensation that suggested the slightest movement would result in his immediate decapitation.

“Step back,” Sima Geon commanded Cheol Woo, having neutralized the monk’s aggression through sheer presence. Cheol Woo, though ready for a fight, retreated with visible annoyance.

“You also stand down,” the Bloodlight Demon Emperor ordered his subordinate, looking at Sima Geon with newfound wariness for his ability to suppress a master with aura alone.

The suffocating pressure vanished. The bald monk exhaled a jagged breath and retreated, his face turning a deep crimson from the sheer shame of the encounter.

“I happened upon a fascinating piece of information during my travels,” Sima Geon remarked, shifting the tone to something unexpectedly mundane. The Bloodlight Demon Emperor frowned, caught off guard by the diversion from their current conflict.

“Are you familiar with a man named Pyo Yeong?”

“Pyo Yeong?” The Bloodlight Demon Emperor searched his memory before shaking his head. “No.”

“He served as a scout for Dark Fragrance.”

“I am acquainted with the high-ranking officers, not every low-level operative.”

“He visited Soheung once.”

At the mention of that location, the Bloodlight Demon Emperor’s eyes sharpened.

“And he was the sole individual I permitted to live.”

“Ah, I recall now. There was indeed a single survivor from that mission.”

“And do you recall the details of his briefing?”

“Naturally. The Hierophant and the entire inner circle of the Heavenly Demon Cult reviewed it.”

The Bloodlight Demon Emperor nodded, confident in his memory.

“However, he informed me that the briefing was a fabrication.”

“Explain yourself.”

“He claimed the report presented at your council was not his own—that vital information had been excised.”

“That is impossible. He must be confused.”

Sima Geon merely touched the Heavenly Demon Ring on his wrist, his expression indicating he had foreseen this denial.

“I delivered a specific ultimatum: if they ever targeted my kin again, I would systematically eliminate every relative of the Heavenly Demon Cult’s high command. You were unaware of this, weren’t you?”

“That…” The Emperor looked genuinely unsettled.

“And it follows that you were never told of my bargain: ensure the safe and unharmed release of the Divine Demon Division members from captivity, and I would surrender the Heavenly Demon Ring.”

The Bloodlight Demon Emperor’s features turned stony.

He searched his memory frantically, but those details were entirely absent from the records. He shot a questioning look at the bald monk.

“It was not in the documents. I did not read them personally, but those terms were never mentioned in the assembly,” the monk replied, appearing equally bewildered.

“Did you truly propose such a trade?”

“I did. I don’t avoid the battles forced upon me, but I see no reason to prolong a feud over a useless bauble that endangers my family,” Sima Geon said, displaying the Heavenly Demon Ring.

The Emperor and the monk stared at the artifact, their composure wavering.

“The Heavenly Demon Ring,” the Emperor whispered.

Sima Geon moved on to the next point.

“Pyo Yeong stated that during his return to the Heavenly Demon Cult, he was ambushed by an internal Dark Fragrance execution squad. He narrowly survived, only to be hunted again when he tried to investigate why. Most of his allies were slaughtered.”

The Bloodlight Demon Emperor remained silent, listening intently.

“Recently, the prisoners of the Divine Demon Division were transferred from Thunder Prison to Ten Thousand Poisons Valley. An individual named Yin Jeokso utilized a forbidden immortality poison on them, transforming the survivors into Poison Blood Demons. Were you aware?”

“I received word only last night.”

“I will ask you plainly: did the Hierophant authorize this?” Sima Geon’s tone turned frigid.

The Eighteen Crossers instinctively shifted into combat stances.

“He did not. Neither the Hierophant nor the elders had knowledge of this. We were preoccupied with other matters and neglected the prisons.”

“Is that the truth?”

“It is. If you knew of Yin Jeokso’s recent transgressions, you would know I have no reason to lie.”

As Sima Geon weighed the words, the Bloodlight Demon Emperor sighed.

“That upstart Yin Jeokso has incited a revolt. He has gathered splinter factions and is causing chaos. Those abominations he controls… even we are struggling to contain them.”

When mentioning the “abominations,” the Emperor’s gaze drifted toward Sima Geon.

“You mean the Poison Blood Demons?”

“Most likely.”

Sima Geon ground his teeth, fighting back his rage.

“Pyo Yeong concluded that there are traitors within the Heavenly Demon Cult. Someone capable of tampering with reports to the Hierophant, sending assassins to bury witnesses, and moving high-value prisoners in secret. The most probable suspects are…”

“The Blood Fiend Cult,” the Emperor and the monk said together.

“Exactly. He believes they have compromised you. What is your assessment?”

After a heavy pause, the Bloodlight Demon Emperor gave a slow nod.

“He is likely correct. Upon arriving here, my first task was purging spies from the Blood Fiend Cult.”

By using the Poison Blood Lord, he had uncovered seven infiltrators—all holding influential positions. While the number was small, it suggested that the rot reached deep into the Heavenly Demon Cult’s core.

“How do you imagine I reacted to finding out the Divine Demon Division were turned into Poison Blood Demons?”

“…” The Emperor found no words.

“Pyo Yeong believes the Blood Fiend Cult wants us at each other’s throats: stealing the Divine Demon Division, hiding his report, and trying to kill him. It might be a theory, but it rings true. If I didn’t believe it, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Sima Geon looked over the gathered warriors.

“So, withdraw. How can you wage a war when your own house is infested with rats? Advise your Hierophant to handle his internal affairs before starting useless conflicts.”

As the Emperor hesitated, Sima Geon flooded the Heavenly Demon Ring with his energy.

“That’s—!”
“Impossible!”

Their eyes widened as the ring elongated and solidified into a blade. Sima Geon held the Heavenly Demon Sword ready.

“I’m counting to ten,” Sima Geon declared.

Cheol Woo added with a smirk, “Leave now if you value your lives.”

—

“It occurred during the era when the Divine Demon Clan was fighting to conquer the demonic path, with the Divine Demon Division at the vanguard. Not even our lineage was spared from their path of destruction.”

At Jong Yo’s explanation, the men’s faces darkened with the weight of the history.

“As you are aware, our clan is not known for martial dominance. Yet, no one dared to cross us lightly.”

“I recall my father mentioning that the Ghost Gate Clan’s traps and formations were legendary,” Jwa Geom noted, prompting a bitter smile from Jong Yo.

“That very confidence was our downfall. We anticipated the Divine Demon Division’s arrival but were too arrogant in our defenses. They suffered immense casualties breaching our walls—more than any other sect. In their fury, they burned everything. Every structure was leveled; every servant was butchered.”

Jong Yo’s voice shook, his raspy tone becoming even more grating.

“I was the sole survivor of that nightmare. I lived, but the flames left me in this scarred, broken state.”

Ma Uk and Jwa Geom looked on with pity, but Yin Jeokso remained impassive, appearing bored by the historical context.

“The Divine Demon Leader was undoubtedly powerful then, but nothing like his current self. He was transformed by a discovery made within our ruins.”

At the mention of “discovery,” Yin Jeokso’s interest spiked. “What did he find?”

“The destruction of our manor revealed a hidden vault we didn’t even know existed.”

“He found a manual?” Ma Uk interrupted.

“Yes. In the wreckage of the patriarch’s quarters, he found a steel hatch leading to a subterranean level. Inside that secret chamber, he found three preserved remains.”

“Who were they?” Yin Jeokso asked.

“Have you heard of the Three Demon Venerables?”

The three men shook their heads.

“The Iron Blood Demon Venerable, the Blood Sea Demon Venerable, and the Great Power Demon Venerable. Long ago, they challenged the Heavenly Demon, the man hailed as the greatest of all time.”

“That sounds familiar,” Ma Uk said, searching his memory.

“They were titans of their era, but they were crushed by the overwhelming power of the Heavenly Demon.”

“So the Divine Demon Leader claimed their techniques,” Yin Jeokso surmised.

“He did. And he found the one they devised collectively.”

“Collectively?”

“After their defeat, they were broken men. They realized that individually, they could never best the Heavenly Demon. Driven by shame, they combined their genius. After years of labor, they created a singular art.”

Jong Yo paused for breath.

“The Heaven Piercing Nine Forms! A style designed specifically to dismantle the techniques of the Heavenly Demon.”

“Curse it! That bastard stumbled into the greatest fortune in the world.”

“No wonder his power is so absolute,” Ma Uk and Jwa Geom grumbled.

“But they didn’t stop at techniques. Their new art required a staggering amount of internal energy. They amassed countless medicines to support it. Most were lost to time, but one remained pure.”

“What was it?” Ma Uk pressed.

“Celestial Pure Jade Milk. A massive quantity of it.”

“Damn!” Ma Uk cursed.

“I don’t even have the words for that kind of luck,” Jwa Geom added, shaking his head.

“But Strategist, how are you certain of this? And your guess about the Jade Milk seems very specific,” Yin Jeokso questioned.

Jong Yo’s scarred face twisted. He sighed deeply before continuing.

“The Blood Sea Demon Venerable was a sworn brother to our patriarch at that time.”

“I see! That explains why they were hidden in the Ghost Gate Clan.”

“Indeed. Our patriarch was a master of cosmic principles and provided them with invaluable guidance. Without him, the Heaven Piercing Nine Forms would never have been finished. But greed is a powerful poison.”

Jong Yo went silent, looking bitter. Jwa Geom refilled his cup, and Yin Jeokso waited patiently.

After three more drinks, Jong Yo spoke again.

“Our patriarch was always insecure about our clan’s lack of martial power. He became obsessed with what they were building.”

“He wanted the Heaven Piercing Nine Forms?”

“Yes.”

“How? They were rivals of the Heavenly Demon.”

“They were shadows of their former selves after their defeat. They trusted him implicitly, and he used that trust to betray them.”

“What happened?”

“He poisoned them, but they managed a final counterattack that left him mortally wounded. He fled to a secondary chamber and sealed it with a barrier to hide…”

“And he died there.”

“Yes.”

“The Three Demon Venerables as well?”

“Yes. Though they didn’t perish immediately. The patriarch recorded everything in a journal while trapped behind his own seals.”

“Understood. So the Divine Demon Leader found the vault, took the arts of the Three Demon Venerables, and consumed the Jade Milk.”

“Yes. I lost consciousness in the fire just after seeing him breach the steel door. When I eventually recovered and investigated the vault, I found the patriarch’s hidden room and learned the truth.”

Ma Uk refilled the cup as the story ended.

“An incredible tale, but a frustrating one. The Divine Demon Leader took all the treasures,” Yin Jeokso complained.

Jong Yo reached into his clothing and produced a small bundle.

“The room my patriarch died in was actually the personal quarters of the Iron Blood Demon Venerable. I managed to recover a few items.”

“What!?”

Yin Jeokso grabbed the bundle, revealing two ancient manuals and a broken golden medallion.

“These belong to the Iron Blood Demon Venerable…”

“Yes. His personal manual and his symbol of authority.”

“Hahaha! What a find!” Yin Jeokso grinned with delight.

But Jong Yo had one final revelation.

“That is also the token of the Iron Blood Palace, the former ruler of the Great Veil.”

—

**Next Step:** Would you like me to continue paraphrasing the next chapter of the story for you?