'There's no need to kill them.'
I slowly draw the attraction force of my main body through this physical body.
I'm merely lending this guy power, and whatever he does with it is his own business.
There's no reason for me to directly intervene in his personal grudge.
Wiiiiing―
Through attraction force, I gather energy to form a barrier.
Although it's hastily made and crude, it's enough to prevent the Qi Building master guy from breaking through.
Kuarururue―
"Kugh, you! What kind of sorcery is this!"
Scarlet flames pound against the barrier.
'What spiritual root does this guy have? Ah, water and metal. But he hasn't mastered both, only reaching Qi Building with basic water-attribute methods.'
Ignoring the old man who's waving a fire staff and spewing flames above my barrier, I vibrate the spiritual energy within his body.
Wo-woong―
The Celestial Energy Guidance of the Heavenly Being stage is ultimately an inferior version of the Four-Axis stage's attraction force.
Using water attribute spiritual power as a medium, attraction force manifests on the Plane of Qi.
Kugugugugu!
In an instant, the sky begins to darken.
Noticing something unusual, the nearby Qi Building stage cultivators look up at the sky.
[Rain.]
And as I stretch my hand toward the sky,
Shwaaaaa—
Rain begins to fall.
Torrential rain starts pouring over the area that has been blazing all around.
[Fix.]
I fix the phenomenon of celestial energy in the sky.
For seven days and nights, rain will probably fall over this land.
Only then does the 12th Great Qi Building Master seem to notice something strange, his eyes widening.
"W-Wait...you, your eyes...are flipped...? Yes, Welcoming Deity (接神)! You're borrowing power from a higher entity!"
I move the man's body to look around at the Qi Building cultivators.
They flinch and avoid making eye contact with me by looking down, but then they all suddenly get startled
"Th-that shadow..."
"It's turning into a monster with nineteen heads..."
"Shh! Everyone, stay quiet!"
The 12th Great Qi Building Master, indeed seeming more perceptive, doesn't act rashly. He forms hand seals and speaks.
"Yu Hui! In the end, did you offer your body to such a malicious entity? Get a hold of yourself!"
Wo-woong―
Perhaps it's part of a technique. As the Qi Building Master's voice echoes, I feel a stimulation in my consciousness.
'A type of consciousness method, is it? He's trying to reach the person I've possessed.'
With my consciousness, I could have prevented the voice from being conveyed, but I let it pass through.
Soon after, I feel the consciousness of the man whose body I have taken slightly awakening.
"Ke, kehe..."
Yu Hui moves his lips and laughs.
"What's the matter, old man? Keep attacking. I have successfully connected with a great being and am borrowing their power!"
"Kugh, you fool! This is merely a matter between your clan and ours! How could you borrow the power of such an evil otherworldly entity?"
The old man furiously rebukes Yu Hui with anger that reaches the sky.
"Come to your senses! Are you really going to bring otherworldly power into this land?"
"What does it matter...! If it's land I can't have anyway, it doesn't matter!"
"Kugh, did you bring that otherworldly entity here without even knowing what it might do!"
'...I won't do anything extreme.'
I inwardly clear my throat and speak.
[Let's end the chatter. Leave now.]
Wo-woong―
I reverse the attraction force, converting it to repulsion.
Koooong―
"Kuugh Yu Hui! Think carefully! That being is an evil entity from another world!!!"
Most of the Qi Building stage cultivators are flung hundreds of li away, but the Qi Building stage Master endures to the end, shouting.
Judging by his intent, he seems to be genuinely afraid and worried about the presence of 'me.'
"Do not trust otherworldly beings! I'm saying this not just as your enemy but as a cultivator of the Mengyun Continent! Those entities are evil, vicious, and have no tears or mercy...!"
'...I'm not that bad, though...'
"They are beings that must never be dealt with carelessly!"
I apply a bit more repulsion force, and eventually, the Qi Building Master can no longer hold on and is sent flying.
Hwiiiiiii―
Not only the Qi Building cultivators but even the Qi Refining cultivators causing trouble in the area all flee.
I observe Yu Hui's physical body.
'If it's me, I could immediately elevate him to the Nascent Soul stage but...
Just by forcefully infusing Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, that much is possible.
But I click my tongue while looking at Yu Hui's soul.
'If I do that, his soul will shatter instantly. It's already on the verge of breaking just from coming into contact with a strand of my consciousness.'
Elevating him to even the Core Formation stage will be difficult.
Wo-woong―
The best I can do is give him a blessing by activating his energy pathways, making it easier for him to achieve the 28 stars of Qi Building.
[I shall take my leave now. And I will take my payment for lending you my power.]
When it comes to the Integration stage or Star Shattering stage, they say you can receive much more diverse compensations after lending power.
However, for ordinary Four-Axis stage cultivators, the compensation one can receive is limited.
The Five Blessings are Longevity, Wealth, Health, Love of Virtue, and Acceptance at Fate's End.
Why does Longevity come first among the Five Blessings?
The reason is simple.
'Longevity is the most basic resource for building the Five Blessings Axis.'
To accumulate the Axis of Longevity, one must receive something precious related to lifespan.
So, I take their lifespan directly.
The Axis of Wealth requires something precious related to wealth.
And since the longer the lifespan, the more opportunities there are to accumulate wealth, lifespan is also related to wealth.
The same goes for the Axis of Health.
Health is life force, which is related to lifespan.
Although Love of Virtue is a bit different, it can also be obtained through lifespan.
Therefore, those who build the Five Blessings Axes usually take just the lifespan from the majority of people.
Of course, the vast majority would take all the remaining lifespan at once after lending their power, but I can't bring myself to do that and only take ten years of lifespan.
Wo-woong―
When I open my eyes, the Void Spirit Pond glows brightly with auspicious energy shining within.
It's Yu Hui's lifespan.
Following Yeon Wei's instructions, I place Yu Hui's lifespan into the formation and offer a simple ritual.
[O Realm (界) of Nether Ghost (冥鬼), I offer the cherished lifespan of a being. Please bestow upon me the Blessing of Longevity (壽).]
Wo-woong—
The Nether Ghost Realm responds, accepting Yu Hui's lifespan.
Simultaneously, ghostly energy moves and lodges itself as a ray of light in one corner of my dantian.
Paaatt!
'This is...'
Should I call it a very small tower?
Or rather a toothpick?
Such a small stick-like object settles next to the Axis of Wealth in a corner of my dantian.
'This is the foundation of the Axis of Longevity...'
It seems like I'll need to repeat this process about a thousand times to complete the Longevity Axis.
'A thousand times...'
One will need to receive a lifespan totaling ten thousand years to establish the Axis of Longevity.
I contemplate deeply while sitting.
Taking ten thousand years of lifespan from someone.
Even if it's little by little, is this really the right thing to do?
As I ponder, Yeon Wei clicks her tongue in displeasure.
"I see you only took about ten years of lifespan. What realm was the person who borrowed your power?"
"He was in the Qi Building stage."
"What! If you took all the remaining lifespan, it would be three hundred years! Where did you squander three hundred years' worth of lifespan to only bring back ten years!"
Yeon Wei grumbles, as if feeling wronged.
"Well...is there really a need to go that far?"
"What do you mean 'is there a need!' It's a fair trade they agreed to!"
"Fair..."
Indeed, it might seem fair at first glance if they agreed.
But I still don't like this method, and I had decided to take the minimum lifespan needed to accumulate the axes.
I nod, letting Yeon Wei's nagging go in one ear and out the other.
"Understood. I'll think about it next time."
"You rascal, you're not really listening to me, are you!"
"Aigoo..."
She mutters angrily and starts to leave the basement.
At that moment,
Kugugugung!
"Hmm...?"
Suddenly, the entire Wuji Religious Order shakes.
I quickly transform into my Ghost King form and sharpen my senses.
Yeon Wei glares upward from the basement.
"Hoho, it seems intruders have arrived."
"Hmm..."
I'm about to go out and deal with them immediately, but then I remember it's almost 'night' and sit back on the chair.
"Stay seated. I'll go take a look at which great fools have intruded. The Law Protectors will handle them well, so don't worry."
At her words, I create a Gang Sphere clone to assess the situation while I wait.
'I hope they don't reach this room...'
________________________________________
Kugugugugu―
Wuji Religious Order.
Within the training grounds of the cult's followers.
Three figures appear.
Baek Rin, the White Vein Gate Leader, with a body made of white bones.
Eum Wa, the Shadow Yin Gate Leader, wearing a veil of shadows.
Wei Shi-hon, the Death Corpse Sect Leader, emitting green corpse energy from his entire body.
The three cultivators at the Four-Axis stage step into the training grounds, shuddering.
"Such wickedness! What have they done to the kidnapped ghostly creatures!?"
Before their eyes, a few ghostly creatures trapped inside puppets are visible.
Each ghostly creature has their own specially crafted puppet or curse doll, making them all have somewhat eerie, grotesque appearances.
"Stuffing ghostly creatures into those narrow, suffocating curse dolls! One can clearly guess the insane cult leader's hobbies!"
Eum Wa shouts in a voice filled with rage.
"They look hideous and terrifying! What kind of twisted mind thought of making such horrid monsters!"
Wei Shi-hon screams as he looks at a puppet resembling General Seo.
Then, the ghostly creature inside the puppet resembling General Seo shouts back in fury.
[You bastard! How dare you insult the puppet with the form that our cult leader treasures the most!]
"Wait, you are surely...the Bone Sanctuary Sect Leader under our White Vein Gate, are you not?"
Baek Rin recognizes the ghostly creature's voice and is startled.
The puppet resembling General Seo, the Bone Sanctuary Sect Leader, nods.
[That's right. I was the Bone Sanctuary Sect Leader.]
"Have you no pride in your sect!? How could the leader of a sect betray their superior sect and become the pawn of a devilish cult!"
[Hah. Pride in the sect? I used to have something like that, but my thoughts changed after joining the Wuji Religious Order. Pride or whatever the such, even the Bone Sanctuary Secrets we teach our disciples is nothing but trash. To truly provide a satisfying life to the sect's disciples who desire a peaceful life, it is most important to join a force that provides good welfare benefits! What kind of welfare did you provide to the sects under your control? Did you not give any benefits! You only took our tribute without offering anything in return, only exchanging promises of protection in times of crisis. Instead of being loyal to you exploitative scoundrels, I have chosen to be loyal to the Wuji Religious Order, which provides the best welfare, benefits, and a satisfying quality of life.]
"What is this nonsense! You've completely lost your mind under the Wuji Religious Order's brainwashing sorcery!"
Baek Rin can only lament the vile acts of the cult as he looks at his former subordinate who has become a fanatic.
"Step aside! Even though you've become a brainwashed fanatic, I can't kill my former subordinate. I'll give you a chance!"
[Former subordinate my foot! Now that the slave you used to exploit is seeking welfare benefits, you call them a brainwashed fanatic! You filthy exploiters, let's settle this here and now!]
The Bone Sanctuary Sect Leader roars in anger at Baek Rin's words.
[Come―here―now!!!]
Kugugugu!
Kagagak. kagak, kagak, kagak―
At the same time, the ghostly creatures given puppet bodies by Seo Eun-hyun gather at the command of the Bone Sanctuary Sect Lord.
In an instant, the western training grounds of the Wuji Religious Order is filled with countless curse dolls.
The three Four-Axis cultivators look at the myriad cursed dolls blocking their path with tense expressions.
With pale skin and white bones, not the sturdy bodies of jiangshi, but the stiff, lifeless bodies of puppets.
Moreover, they can't control their expressions at will and always wear the same face, making them appear eerily bizarre.
As they look at the pitiable ghostly creatures that have turned into puppets, their eyes burn even more intensely.
But then, Wei Shi-hon looks up at the sky.
"Look here, Baek Rin, Eum Wa!"
"What is it?"
"We don't have much time. If we dawdle here with these creatures, it will eventually become daylight, and the cult leader will descend upon this place."
"Hmm..."
"Then..."
Wei Shi-hon's eyes shine as he looks at Baek Rin and Eum Wa.
"I'll hold them off. You two go to the cult leader and cut off the root of this evil cult!"
"Hmm...!"
"Wei Shi-hon...!"
"Go on ahead!"
As Wei Shi-hon steps forward, his body begins to enlarge.
Kugugugu!
The corpse energy emanating from his body turns into fur.
Wei Shi-hon transforms into a monstrous beast and roars.
[Guaaaaaaah!]
Wei Shi-hon, now in his beastly form, blocks the cursed doll army, and Baek Rin and Eum Wa steel their resolve, their voices trembling.
"Wei Shi-hon!"
"Hurry, let's go! This is a precious opportunity created by Sect Leader Wei's sacrifice!"
Baek Rin leads Eum Wa quickly through the training ground, entering the interior of the cult.
Though Eum Wa seems listless at first, she soon regains her energy and runs alongside Baek Rin.
How far have they run within the cult?
The two ghostly creatures suddenly notice something odd.
"Wait a minute, Sect Leader Baek. The surroundings..."
"I see. It's a formation."
Paaatt!
Before they knew it, they were running through a fog-covered grassland.
"I'll break the formation. You keep watch."
"Understood."
Just as Baek Rin forms hand seals to break the formation.
Step, step...
Someone enters through the mist.
"Who goes there!"
Eum Wa shouts, eyes wide at the figure emerging from the mist.
And, the figure who appeared from the mist.
A woman dressed in light pink palace attire, Kim Yeon, greets them demurely.
"Hello. I am Kim Yeon, the Left Law Protector of the Wuji Religious Order."
"Kugh, the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King!"
"To think we'd run into the most wicked, vile, and cunning being!"
Baek Rin and Eum Wa are taken aback, and Kim Yeon smiles faintly at them.
"You two cannot pass through here."
Baek Rin and Eum Wa look at each other and nod.
"We know you are the one responsible for the brainwashing in the Wuji Religious Order. But that means if we subdue you, we can find a way to break the brainwashing of the innocent ghosts."
Baek Rin says, looking at Kim Yeon with a solemn voice.
"We will defeat you and free everyone from their brainwashing!"
***
Wo-woong―
Kim Yeon focuses her consciousness with her eyes shining.
In front of her are a shadow and a white bone undead.
Seeing the two at the Four-Axis stage, she assumes a stance.
She has just recently risen to the Heavenly Being stage.
Reaching the realm of Heavenly Being requires immersion in 'one single concept.'
So, what emotion is she immersed in?
If she had not heard the truth from Seo Eun-hyun, she might have vaguely felt that this emotion is love.
But after hearing the truth and reflecting on her feelings, Kim Yeon realized that the emotion is not love.
'Then what is this emotion?'
Kim Yeon ponders.
This emotion is directed towards Seo Eun-hyun.
But it isn't simply love.
Then just what is it?
'A name. This emotion needs...a name.'
Moreover, this emotion holds the heart of the Mad Lord.
And this emotion carries a longing for home.
It holds loyalty to her colleagues.
To organize her heart.
To decide her attitude towards her master.
To further solidify her longing and loyalty.
Kim Yeon wants to name this emotion.
"By the way, it's surprising. That infamous Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King turns out to be only at the Heavenly Being stage..."
Eum Wa and Baek Rin each take out their dharma treasures.
Kim Yeon remains silent and concentrates her consciousness.
She recalls the time when Seo Eun-hyun taught her martial arts in her dreams.
―Yeon-ah, your talent in cultivation is much higher than mine, but your talent in martial arts...is similar to or lower than mine.
―Heok! Then what should I do? I need to master martial arts to have a chance to escape...
―Don't worry. I was also a dullard, so I'm confident in teaching you. First...
At that time, Seo Eun-hyun told her.
―Let's endlessly repeat the Paired Wing Dance.
―Pardon?
―It might feel a bit tedious, but for those without talent, endless repetition is the shortest path to reach the realm. I know from experience.
Since that day, under Seo Eun-hyun's guidance, she endlessly practiced the martial art called the Paired Wing Dance.
Oddly enough, the Paired Wing Dance she learned is quite similar to the movements of the Mad Lord's [Her].
Simultaneously, it resonates somewhat with her Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, creating a phenomenon where mastering the Paired Wing Dance actually aids her cultivation of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
At first, it was so boring she felt she was going crazy.
Holding a fan and endlessly repeating the same movements.
Of course, at that time, it was far better than being with the Mad Lord, so she gratefully followed the instructions despite not particularly liking the activity.
But even that boring activity, as she mastered the Paired Wing Dance and reached a certain 'realm,' began to fade from her memory.
The true essence of the Paired Wing Dance is not merely about dancing with a fan; it's about the movements 'connecting.'
As long as the beginning and end connect, the lost strength is somewhat restored. That is the true essence of the Paired Wing Dance.
As long as the beginning and the end connect, it doesn't matter if she holds a fan, a spear, stands on her head, or spins like a top.
'But Paired Wing Dance itself lacks offensive power.'
Therefore, she secretly learned a new martial art behind Seo Eun-hyun's back.
Surung―
Kim Yeon lowers her hand.
At some point, four hidden weapons appeared in her hand.
Alongside the Paired Wing Dance created by Seo Eun-hyun, she learned a new martial art taught by Hong Fan.
She kept it a secret from Seo Eun-hyun.
―Lady Kim Yeon, this martial art is a combination of the Dragon Form Soaring Claw and the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique. While Paired Wing Dance is well-suited to train your Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, for direct combat, this martial art will likely enhance your power significantly.
―Ah, thank you.
―No need for formalities. I am younger than the Lady, after all.
―...Ah, yes...still, I will use formal speech. So, what is the name of this martial art?
―It doesn't have a name.
Hong Fan demonstrated numerous martial arts before Kim Yeon.
―Based on the martial arts taught by Master, I created, evolved, and combined various martial arts, including fist techniques, kicking techniques, spear techniques, sword techniques, fan techniques, claw techniques, and more. But...I haven't named any of them.
―Why is that?
―Hmm, why indeed. I think names are meaningless in martial arts. Maybe I'll name them after integrating all these martial arts.
―That's impressive. Does Eun-hyun Oppa know about these martial arts of yours, Hong Fan?
―Ah, it's a secret from Master. I want to surprise him later. Haha...
The demon beast of Seo Eun-hyun with fearsome talent, Hong Fan.
The Paired Wing Dance learned from a self-proclaimed dullard, and the martial art learned from a genius.
Wo-woong―
Inside the formation, Kim Yeon's consciousness fills the entire space.
Under the pressure of her consciousness, Baek Rin and Eum Wa's faces darken.
"Th-this is the consciousness of a Heavenly Being...?"
"Unbelievable...could it be that the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King is a Four-Axis cultivator whose cultivation fell?"
Kim Yeon lightly smiles and raises her hand.
"It appears you have the leisure to speak."
Bo-ooong―
The next moment.
Kim Yeon's fingertips sweep towards the two ghostly creatures.
Kwaaang!
The four hidden weapons fly like the claws of a huge beast, slashing through the air.
Kim Yeon's attack, possessing the consciousness of an Integration stage cultivator while at the Heavenly Being stage, amplifies wildly within the formation filled with her consciousness.
"Kugh, just what is...!?"
Baek Rin blocks her attack with a dharma treasure and takes a sharp breath.
Kim Yeon lowers her hand.
From her fingertips, threads of consciousness flow out, merging with the Qi and forming a somewhat substantial Qi Thread (氣絲).
The Qi Threads are connected to the four flying knives she has drawn out.
"Kugh! What is that sorcery!?"
Baek Rin exclaims with a terrified expression, and Kim Yeon lowers her other hand as well.
Chalang―
From her other hand, four more flying knives connected by Qi Threads dangle down. She takes a step forward, swinging the knives connected by the threads.
"Well, let's call it a claw technique (爪法) for now."
Hu-woong―
Kwagwagwagwang!
Like the swing of a gigantic claw, a total of eight slashes fly towards the two.
Then, Kim Yeon begins to dance.
Her dance, scattering countless slashes, appears more beautiful than anything else.
Kwagwagwagwang!
The formation begins to shake, unable to withstand the slashes.
A gap appears in the formation, creating a chance for Baek Rin and Eum Wa to escape, but they can't think of escaping.
Even though there's a gap in the formation, there's no gap in her domain.
Whenever Kim Yeon's flying knives―her [claws]―are swung, slashes scatter.
But the slashes also 'connect' again.
The slashes continue endlessly, without exhausting their power.
Originally, the martial art called Paired Wing Dance was just a technique similar to Seo Eun-hyun's Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains.
But when the capabilities of a Heavenly Being are added to such a Paired Wing Dance, another characteristic emerges.
Kuguguguk―
Due to Kim Yeon's Celestial Energy Guidance, Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is drawn towards her.
While unfolding the Paired Wing Dance, her energy consumption is almost nil, and as more Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is drawn to her, her strength only increases.
The result is a monstrous technique that grows stronger the more it is performed.
The two ghostly creatures grit their teeth, unable to find a gap in the increasingly powerful storm of slashes.
"Kugh, we can't be defeated like this!"
"Behind us lies the will of countless ghostly creatures of the White Yin Domain! We can't lose to a devilish cultist who brainwashes and forcibly subdues the hearts of others!"
Kim Yeon chuckles at their words.
"What do you mean by brainwashing? That's nonsense. Our Wuji Religious Order adheres to an exemplary and progressive working schedule, not exceeding 40 hours of labor within 7 days, with fair wages paid monthly. We have gained the hearts of our followers through proper welfare and benefits, not by brainwashing."
"Kugh, I don't understand what language you're spouting."
"It's the words of a wicked devilish cultist. Do not be shaken, Sect Leader Baek!"
Kugugugugugu!
However, along with that, countless slashes merge into one, shooting towards the two Four-Axis stage cultivators.
"Kuuuuurghh! What monstrous power...!"
"What kind of output of power is this...!?"
Normally, when martial artists and cultivators fight, martial artists use superior techniques to break through the cultivators' spells, and cultivators crush martial artists' techniques with overwhelming power.
But now,
A strange scene is unfolding.
Kim Yeon's martial arts, influenced by her Integration stage consciousness, are pushing the cultivators back with overwhelming power.
Baek Rin and Eum Wa use all kinds of techniques and spells, looking for an opening amidst Kim Yeon's slashes.
"Over there! There's a gap!"
"Quick, escape!"
Eum Wa and Baek Rin gather their strength.
The two ghostly creatures combine their power.
A massive white bone-shaped mass of energy forms, a dark shadow covering it from above.
The gigantic black bone-shaped energy flies towards a point in the formation.
Baek Rin recalls the white bone undead who enjoyed their labor with good-natured expressions.
Eum Wa remembers the innocent ghosts who always regarded obedience and submission as virtues.
The two ghostly creatures clasp hands, praying for the peace of the White Yin Domain as they draw out all their power.
"Taaah!"
"Haaaah!"
Flash!
Finally, the two ghostly creatures manage to escape from the realm of the malicious Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King before being swept away by her slash.
Kugugugu!
Watching the collapsing formation from behind, the two hurriedly run towards the center of the Wuji Religious Order.
The Devilish Cult Leader, Wuji Ghost King, is their target.
"Heugh, heo heok, heok..."
Baek Rin and Eum Wa run, panting heavily as if they are alive.
"That, that place over there..."
"The residence of the Wuji Ghost King...! The Wuji Religious Hall!"
The two arrive at a building covered entirely in a dark curses and gasp for breath.
"As expected of the Devilish Cult Leader, he wrapped the entire building in curses."
"Just by looking at it, one can tell it's a wicked curse. Break through it quickly!"
The two ghostly creatures summon forth their strength and hurl their dharma treasures at the building.
Kwagwagwang!
An explosion and a cloud of dust rises up.
But what they see next makes Baek Rin and Eum Wa shudder.
A large figure is blocking their two dharma treasures in front of the Wuji Religious Hall.
"Is that the Soul Extinguishing Ghost King...?"
"It's the Right Law Enforcer!"
And then, the dust cloud settles.
"Wait a moment...!"
"You, you are...!"
However, after the dust cloud settles.
The two ghostly creatures are shocked to discover the identity of the one blocking their dharma treasures.
The one who blocked their treasures is Wei Shi-hon.
"Death Corpse Sect Leader! What are you doing!?"
"Wei Shi-hon, could it be..."
Wei Shi-hon smirks and raised his arm.
Wiiiiing―
A bizarre circuit on Wei Shi-hon's body begins to glow.
"Ah, sorry about this. I was originally going to leave this to the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King or the Six Extremes Ghost King, but the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King let you escape and the Six Extremes Ghost King has other matters to attend to."
Baek Rin and Eum Wa look at Wei Shi-hon in bewilderment.
"Haha, don't look at me like that. I needed to pretend to sacrifice myself and push you deeper into the order to ensure you can't escape."
The two ghostly creatures grind their teeth.
Come to think of it, this guy was the one who suggested attacking the Devilish Cult Leader.
"You...led us into a trap!"
"Hahaha! I received the Cult Master's grace. It was truly magnificent. Also, after looking around the Wuji Religious Order, I found their welfare to be better than ours. I simply made the right choice to provide a better quality of life for our sect's jiangshi."
Wo-oong―
Wei Shi-hon shouts as his circuit glows.
"Here, look! Originally, I am only at the mid Four-Axis stage, but after receiving the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King's 'procedure' and the Cult Master's 'grace,' I've gained power comparable to the Grand Perfection of the Four-Axis stage! Hahaha!"
"Kugh, just what are you talking about, Wei Shi-hon! Weren't we supposed to establish justice in the White Yin Domain together!?"
"Justice? Justice is providing good bodies and advanced welfare to the frail ghostly creatures and jiangshi! The Wuji Religious Order is justice! You should join the Wuji Religious Order too. You've come this far anyway. There's no way for you to escape now."
Wo-oong―
Boasting the glowing circuit on his body, Wei Shi-hon extends his hand to the two ghostly creatures.
"I'll make a proposal. Since you can't escape, as the one given the position of Guardian Ghost King of the Wuji Religious Order, I'll give you a chance. I'll allow you to tour the Wuji Religious Order and fully experience it. After the tour, decide whether to join. I'm serious. The future of the White Yin Domain is the Wuji Religious Order!"
Baek Rin and Eum Wa speak furiously.
"That's absurd! How can you expect us to trust the wicked devilish cult that brainwashes countless spirit creatures!"
"So, Sect Leader Wei, you've been brainwashed too."
"Tsk...! Foolish! Does not everyone say in unison? It's not brainwashing but positive change due to truly touching the heart!"
Baek Rin, burning with ghost fire, raises his voice.
"My friend! How deeply have you been brainwashed!"
"...We can't communicate. Fine. Then I'll personally make you kneel and understand the truth."
Wiiiing―
The circuits on Wei Sho-hon's body burns brightly.
The three ghostly creatures lunge at each other.
Wo-oong―
Kim Yeon lost track of the ghostly creatures, but she continues to form hand seals without a care.
"That's right, that's right. You're doing well."
Next to her, Yeon Wei is instructing Kim Yeon.
"Yes, that's how you unfold the formation. With your vast consciousness, you can fully bring out more than 120% of the formation's potential."
"Yes, I will do my best."
"As you're not a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, I can't teach you Lighting Path Methods. However, I can teach you my knowledge on formations. To think you're learning formations this well."
"You flatter me."
Wo-ooong―
Consciousness threads from the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon extend around Kim Yeon, covering the void.
Her threads of consciousness cover the void, creating a cage that envelops the entire Wuji Religious Order.
'To prevent the intruders from escaping, if I firmly weave the void with consciousness and guide the flow of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to partition the space itself...'
Kiiing―
Kim Yeon smiles as she completes the formation.
"Ah, it's finished. Yeon Wei-nim!"
"Excellent! Huhu, you're quite the impressive one."
Yeon Wei looks at her with satisfaction, then subtly asks a question.
"But there's something I'm curious about. Why do you keep following that Seo Clan kid?"
"Um, pardon?"
"Honestly, I don't get it. Sure, that Seo Clan kid has remarkable abilities, but he has 19 heads, bizarre hobbies, and mentally, isn't he a bit twisted? I heard you liked him since your hometown, but why do you like such a guy?"
Before Yeon Wei can finish speaking, a scene from inside the formation enters Kim Yeon's mind.
It's the moment when Baek Rin and Eum Wa defeat the 'brainwashed traitor' Wei Shi-hon and finally break the curse barrier of the Wuji Religious Hall.
The two ghostly creatures are entering the Wuji Religious Hall.
"Ah, they've gone inside. Oh dear. Now those two are..."
Yeon Wei clicks her tongue and shows a sympathetic expression towards the two ghostly creatures.
Taking advantage of Yeon Wei's distraction as she looks inside the formation, Kim Yeon ponders deeply.
'When did I start liking Eun-hyun Oppa?'
She naturally recalls her early days at the company.
Thinking back to when she first joined the company.
Kim Yeon didn't particularly like Seo Eun-hyun.
"Hello, I'm Jo Soo-hyun, the new intern starting today!"
"I'm, I'm Kim Yeon, also an intern starting today!"
"Starting today..."
Kim Yeon was a bit nervous as she entered the soap company as an intern.
'Sales Development Department intern...'
The Sales Development Department of this company had a notorious reputation.
Director Jeon Myeong-cheol would organize weekend hikes.
Deputy Director Kim Young-hoon didn't say much, but Section Chief Oh Hyun-seok was known for working people to the bone, and Deputy Manager Kang Min-hee and Jeon Myeong-hoon were, respectively, one gloomy and another "just the worst."
But the scariest one was yet to come.
"Hello, interns. Since it's your first day today, there's not much work to do, so just follow me around and learn. Ah, I'm Supervisor Seo Eun-hyun. You can call me Supervisor Seo. First, check your desks..."
Supervisor Seo Eun-hyun.
With dark circles under his eyes, living on coffee and energy drinks, and always seemingly in a bad mood due to acid reflux, he wasn't an easy person to approach.
On her first day, Kim Yeon was immediately targeted by Supervisor Seo.
"Miss Kim Yeon, can you please follow quickly? There aren't just one or two places we need to check. And it's us who have to manage the inventory as well."
"I-I'm sorry."
"Miss Kim Yeon, how can you drop that? Hurry, move aside."
"Miss Kim Yeon! Haaah...never mind. Just move aside."
Kim Yeon realized quickly.
She would be the first to be dropped when the internship ended.
Supervisor Seo...he's too scary.'
With a cup of coffee in hand, muttering 'Jeon Myeong-hoon, that bastard,' Seo Eun-hyun wasn't someone who seemed approachable at first glance.
However, other interns seemed to get along with him quite easily.
For the first three days, Kim Yeon struggled the most.
'Should I just leave without completing the internship?'
At that time, Seo Eun-hyun was known as the hardest worker in the department.
In other words, he worked intensely.
Assigned under such a person, Kim Yeon felt a deep sense of inadequacy about her own capabilities.
Seo Eun-hyun never rested at work.
" Supervisor Seo, it's lunchtime..."
"Ah, Miss Kim Yeon. Go have your lunch. I'll finish this paperwork and join later. Other interns, you can go have lunch too."
While others took his word and went for lunch, Kim Yeon couldn't.
'I have to make up for my earlier mistakes!'
While others left, she gritted her teeth and finished her tasks to make up for her mistakes.
Even when the skin of her stomach felt like it was touching her back, and she felt like dying from fatigue, she endured by drinking one cup of the poison-like coffee after another.
Seo Eun-hyun would only glance at her as he came and went, without saying much.
As the internship period reached halfway like that, the atmosphere had changed significantly.
"Hello everyone."
"Ah, yes, hello... Supervisor..."
"Haha, Supervisor. Hell...o."
Initially, everyone tried to get close to Seo Eun-hyun, but as the internship progressed, no one wanted to meet his eyes.
In the end, the only one still meeting Seo Eun-hyun's eyes was none other than Kim Yeon.
"Ah, hello, Supervisor!"
"Oh, Miss Kim Yeon."
Seo Eun-hyun spoke curtly as he looked at Kim Yeon.
"Good morning. Please deliver this document to the Section Chief and check the inventory in the warehouse. If you could bring some coffee from the break room on your way back, I'd really appreciate it."
"Yes, yep!"
It was because Seo Eun-hyun would give out crazy amounts of work whenever they made eye contact.
At first, the others happily took on the tasks given by Seo Eun-hyun, but as their stamina depleted, they began to avoid him. The only one to endure and continue to meet his gaze was Kim Yeon.
And eventually, as the internship period drew to a close,
All the interns except for Kim Yeon and the one named Jo Soo-hyun had run away.
[Run! We have to run!]
[Huaaaah! A great ghost!]
The two ghostly creatures who entered the Wuji Religious Hall began screaming madly, fleeing from inside.
Kim Yeon activates the formation with her eyes gleaming.
"Where do you think you're going!?"
Kiiiing―
As the formation activates, countless threads unravel and spew towards the ghostly creatures.
Chuaruruk!
The two ghostly creatures are bound by thousands of strands of white spider silk.
Kugugugugu―
From within the Wuji Religious Hall, a giant hand made of curses emerges.
Cult Leader Seo Eun-hyun is exerting his power.
[Where are you going? Our honored guests should explore the Wuji Religious Order a bit more before leaving.]
[Aaah! Save me!]
[Huh, huaaaaauuh! Cul-cultivator Baek!]
Eum Wa, writhing after being caught by Kim Yeon, ignites ghost fire in her eyes as if determined to make a final stand.
[Wait, Sect Leader Eum! What are you trying to do!]
[At least you should escape!]
Huarurururu!
Igniting ghost fire all over her entire body, Eum Wa burns away Kim Yeon's formation and lunges at Baek Rin, burning the threads that bind him.
She then pushes Baek Rin out of the formation and throws herself towards the hand of curses created by Seo Eun-hyun.
[I will...buy some time!]
[Sect Leader Eum! Eum Wa! Eum Waaaaa!!]
[Haaaaaaat!]
The veil of shadows covering the Eum Wa blocks the curse hand.
Baek Rin, shedding tears of blood, breaks free from Kim Yeon's formation and shouts.
[I will come back to save you! I will save everyone!!]
Clennnch!
The curse hand swallows Eum Wa, and beyond that hand, she senses the 'presence' emanating the curse. Losing her mind again, she screams.
[Huaaaaa! Kiaaaaaa! Kyaaaaaa! Kiyaaaaaaa!]
The hand of curses slowly drags Eum Wa into the Wuji Religious Hall.
"Oh dear. One escaped."
Kim Yeon's eyes shine as she looks up at the sky.
"Shall I go capture him?"
Wo-oong―
As she extends her consciousness, the puppets spread throughout the Wuji Religious Order rattle.
However, Yeon Wei shakes her head and points to the sky.
"No need. It seems Jeon Myeong-hoon has just returned."
Kurururung—
Above, in the dark night sky.
A red lightning bolt flashes towards where Baek Rin has fled.
"We should head inside the Wuji Religious Hall. It looks like the cult leader is going to imprison the captive in a puppet. Your strength will be needed to assist with the procedure."
"Haha. Actually, Eun-hyun Oppa could probably handle it on his own."
Kim Yeon heads to Seo Eun-hyun's quarters with Yeon Wei.
Aside from the interns who couldn't endure Seo Eun-hyun's harsh workload and fled, only Kim Yeon and one other person successfully joined the soap company.
"Ah...I really ended up joining."
In fact, Kim Yeon agonized deeply over her decision.
Even if she persevered at this mid-sized company that felt more like a small business, it seemed pointless. Furthermore, Supervisor Seo Eun-hyun, known as the "labor devil," would continue to work her hard with his curt attitude.
"...No. Let's give it a try anyway."
But Kim Yeon gritted her teeth and entered the company.
In any case, she was gradually getting used to the work, and she was slowly getting closer to Kang Min-hee. Hence, she decided to stay a bit longer. And on her first day as an 'official employee':
"Ah, Miss Kim Yeon came?"
"Hello, Supervisor...Seo Eun...hyun..?"
For the first time, Kim Yeon saw Seo Eun-hyun greet her with a smile.
"Congratulations on joining the company. You've worked hard so far."
"Oh...Ah..."
"I'm saying this because the Director and Jeon Myeong-hoon aren't here, but to be honest, there are quite a few salary thieves who don't do their job, which causes our work to be a bit intense. That's why I always treat interns a bit harshly to filter them out. Thank you for enduring."
For some reason, Kim Yeon felt tears welling up as she looked at the hand Seo Eun-hyun extended.
"Congratulations on becoming an official employee, Colleague Kim. Welcome."
[Ah, come on in, Yeon-ah.]
Heading to the basement of the Religious Hall, Kim Yeon, along with Yeon Wei. see the ghostly creature tightly bound in countless curse spells under Seo Eun-hyun.
[For now, let's start the 'procedure.' I need your help. Can you take out the puppet materials from the storage scroll?]
'Ah...I see.'
Reflecting on the past, Kim Yeon feels she somewhat understands when she fell for Seo Eun-hyun.
'Although I started truly liking him during our business trip to the arboretum, maybe I was swayed from the very first day I officially joined...'
It wasn't just because the previously harsh boss suddenly changed in attitude.
Being needed by someone.
Perhaps for Kim Yeon, it's that which makes her incredibly happy.
'Even more. Let's continue to grow even more from now on.'
She makes a resolve.
To continue growing.
To grow stronger, to rise to higher realms.
For Seo Eun-hyun, for her colleagues, and even for the Mad Lord.
As she reforms the captive with Seo Eun-hyun, she determines to become someone needed by everyone.
That is what she vows.
===
Author's Note: For parts that might be divisive, I'll push through with more content!
It might be a bit dull, but I'll try to wrap it up quickly, so please be understanding...!
***
A dark basement.
"Phew, it's all done now."
"Good, now it will be complete once we engrave that."
A monster with 38 eyes and a woman standing next to it smile at the small doll in front of them.
A small doll in the shape of a little girl.
And sealed within it is the Shadow Yin Gate Leader, Eum Wa, trembling with rage.
"You vile devilish cultist bastards, what do you plan to do after turning me into this!"
"Huhu, don't worry. We won't do anything outrageous. Rest assured."
"Don't worry, as long as you behave quietly, we won't threaten you."
Kim Yeon lightly picks up Eum Wa.
Eum Wa struggles frantically in Kim Yeon's hand, but the sealing spell embedded throughout the puppet binds all her power, rendering her helpless.
"You should be grateful instead. If you kept remaining as a ghost before the Cult Leader, you might have truly gone mad."
Yeon Wei, who has come down to the basement unnoticed, leans against the wall and speaks to Eum Wa.
"Even if a ghostly creature within the puppet feels the true death of the Cult Master, they won't be able to properly perceive it due to interference. The fact that you can maintain a clear mind and not just scream mindlessly is also thanks to the Cult Leader's grace, so you should be thankful."
"Kugh you devilish cultist bastards, what nonsense are you spouting after turning me into this! Release me immediately!"
"Hm. Let me have it for a moment, Yeon-ah."
Yeon Wei takes Eum Wa from Kim Yeon and then throws her somewhere after a brief moment.
"Huaahhh! Where are you throwing me, you devilish cultist bastards! Uaaah, hik!"
And then, someone with thick hands catches the thrown Eum Wa.
"From now on, the enlightenment of the Shadow Yin Gate Leader is entrusted to you, First Guardian Ghost King Wei Shi-hon."
"Thank you, Strategist-nim."
It's Wei Shi-hon, the Death Corpse Sect Leader who has pledged allegiance to the Wuji Religious Order.
"Wei Shi-hon! You traitor! How could you betray me like this!?"
Eum Wa squirm and screams in Wei Shi-hon's hand, but Wei Shi-hon looks at her with pity.
"I joined the Wuji Religious Order for your sake. If you turn your heart to the Wuji Religious Order, you will receive a proper puppet body and the Cult Leader's grace, engraved with the circuits, making you even stronger than before."
"I don't want to hear anything from a traitor who betrayed us for power! Release me at once!"
"Releasing you will come later. For now, let's learn about the Wuji Religious Order together."
Wei Shi-hon takes Eum Wa and leaves.
Wei Shi-hon emerges from the Wuji Religious Hall and carefully holds the struggling Eum Wa in his grip as he tries to move somewhere.
At that moment.
Kwarurung!
Suddenly, the sky turns red, and Jeon Myeong-hoon descends next to Wei Shi-hon.
In Jeon Myeong-hoon's hand is a pure white skull.
Seeing this, Eum Wa wails bitterly.
"Baek Rin!!! Even you!!!"
But unlike the sealed Eum Wa, Wei Shi-hon notices something and asks Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Wait, Chief Law Protector. That skull..."
"Yeah, I lost him."
Jeon Myeong-hoon nods indifferently and lifts the skull.
At those words, Eum Wa sighs in relief in Wei Shi-hon's grip while Wei Shi-hon frowns.
"I explained in advance about Baek Rin before. In an emergency, he can abandon his body using the life-saving spell 'White Bone Shedding Shell Strategy (白骨脫殼之計)' and escape with only his Nascent Soul."
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at Wei Shi-hon.
"You did indeed say he would abandon his body and escape with his Nascent Soul."
"Yes! But how did you lose him!"
"But did you mention that the Nascent Soul would split into thousands of pieces, and each would use the ground-shrinking technique to escape?"
"Uh...! That, that's...a divine ability that can only be used at the utmost mastery (極成)of the White Bone Shell Discarding Strategy...?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon clicks his tongue.
"It seems he mastered the life-saving method without your knowledge to great completion. Well, anyway, it was my first time seeing such a technique, so I was momentarily surprised and lost him. Next time, I won't miss."
Despite Jeon Myeong-hoon's words, Wei Shi-hon can only sigh deeply.
"It's become complicated now..."
"What's complicated?"
"Baek Rin once did a favor to an Elder of the Black Ghost Palace when he was at the Heavenly Being stage. With time, that Elder would have become a Black Elder of the Black Ghost Palace. They might support Baek Rin in challenging our sect."
"Hmm..."
After pondering for a moment at those words, Jeon Myeong-hoon smirks.
"Well, it doesn't matter. We have the Cult Leader, don't we?"
Wei Shi-hon sighs, looking at Jeon Myeong-hoon's absolute trust in the Cult Leader, and then recalls Seo Eun-hyun.
A being with 19 heads and 38 eyes.
'Well...it might be alright with the Cult Leader.'
Wei Shi-hon turns to look at Jeon Myeong-hoon entering the Wuji Religious Hall, then turns around and takes Eum Wa to another part of the Wuji Religious Order.
"Hmm, Black Ghost Palace, huh..."
In the basement of the Wuji Religious Hall.
The Wuji Ghost King Seo Eun-hyun is sitting on the cult leader's seat, tapping on its armrest.
"For now, what does Yeon Wei-nim think?"
Yeon Wei shakes her head at Jeon Myeong-hoon's report.
"There's nothing to worry about. This White Yin Domain is a non-aggression zone between Penglai Island and the Underworld Ghost Palace. If the Black Ghost Palace or Flower Painting Western Heaven Palace tries to intervene here, the Underworld Ghost Palace and Penglai Island will block them. They are not kind enough to let a cake they couldn't have go to another big force. On the contrary, if the Black Ghost Palace comes, we might even receive support from the Underworld Ghost Palace or Penglai Island."
"Hmm, I see."
Seo Eun-hyun nods upon receiving the report.
"Then for now, it's best not to act recklessly and to focus on slowly expanding our forces?"
"Yes, that would be best. Slowly but swiftly leveraging the advantage of the Wuji Religious Order's puppet offerings to swallow the White Yin Domain is our top priority. Even if that Baek Rin fellow brings the Black Ghost Palace, if you're in control of the White Yin Domain, they will have no choice but to recognize your dominance and withdraw. Huhu..."
"Understood. Then, for the next 200 years, we'll refrain from rash actions and focus on growing our force and strengthening our position."
Having thwarted the intruders, the brief meeting at the Wuji Religious Hall concludes.
Boo-woong, boong, boong!
After the meeting, Kim Yeon went to the training ground assigned to her and took the Starting Form.
'What can I do to understand what this emotion is?'
She thought she could simply distinguish it by seeing the colors of intent of the Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
But oddly enough, the color of the emotion Kim Yeon feels is 'colorless.'
She can't figure out what her emotion is.
'Joy is golden, anger is red, sorrow is dark blue, pleasure is silver, love is light pink, hatred is dark red, desire is black.'
These are the colors she sees in her vision after mastering the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon and reaching Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
Upon reaching Five Energies Converging to the Origin, she confirmed that these colors merged to become colorless, forming the domain of consciousness.
Therefore, this colorless emotion she sees should have been 'all emotions.'
But Kim Yeon knows.
'It's different, it's not 'all emotions'.'
Although it's the same colorlessness she saw when reaching the Five Energies Converging to the Origin, she understands that the colorless emotion her own feelings produce is unique and special.
'What is this emotion?'
She can instinctively sense it.
The day she discovers the 'name' of this emotion,
She will be able to see the true color of this emotion.
"Phew..."
She repeats the Paired Wing Dance.
At the same time, she repeatedly operates the Intertwined Branches Heart Method, becoming accustomed to the internal energy method.
Woo-woong—
The pure spiritual force surges through her meridians at a terrifying speed.
Woo-woong—
Kim Yeon reaches out into the air.
As her hand moves, the pure spiritual force gathers in the air, moving according to her will as she infuses her consciousness into it.
This is the initial stage of controlling Gang Qi.
It is said that by practicing to infuse Gang Qi into the air and inputting intent into the Gang Qi to move it freely, one can reach the Ultimate Pinnacle.
'He said if I reach the Ultimate Pinnacle, I'll become overwhelmingly strong.'
Seo Eun-hyun said so.
Kim Yeon believes that reaching the realm of Ultimate Pinnacle where one can directly utilize the power of consciousness will make her incredibly strong.
Seo Eun-hyun isn't wrong.
If she, with her Integration level of consciousness, begins to use the acceleration of the Ultimate Pinnacle, her direct combat power will be amplified unimaginably.
However, as she practices the Interwined Branches Heart Method, she wonders.
'If I become overwhelmingly strong, will I find the name of this emotion?'
Finding the name of her emotion isn't merely for self-satisfaction.
According to the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, once mastered, there should be no unreadable intent.
But there is one intent that she is unable to read.
Thus, she hasn't truly mastered the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
'I must master the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.'
The Mad Lord has left her a dharma treasure containing enlightenment.
Kim Yeon obtained the enlightenment to combat the Mad Lord from that dharma treasure, and in order to comprehend the enlightenment, she must master the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
Yet, she is sometimes confused.
Is she trying to understand this emotion for the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon?
Or is she trying to master the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to understand the emotion?
'...I don't know.'
She repeats the Paired Wing Dance.
Again, and again, and again.
'If I don't know, let's just do as Eun-hyun Oppa said for now.'
Even if she doesn't know, he will surely be right.
He always has been.
With each step she takes, she recalls old memories.
"Hello, I'm Supervisor Oh Hye-seo, who will be working with you from today onwards. Please call me Supervisor Oh."
Shortly after she became an employee.
A new person transferred from another department.
Her name was Oh Hye-seo, and it was said she was bullied in her previous department.
The main perpetrator, a team leader in the Management Department, had been referred to the disciplinary committee, dismissed, and expelled from the company. Oh Hye-seo, the victim of the bullying, wished to move to another department due to her trauma.
"Gosh. That must have been tough."
"Hm, not really. Everyone else was kind, except for Team Leader Im, so it wasn't that hard."
From the first day of her transfer, Oh Hye-seo started talking to Kim Yeon, and they quickly became close without even realizing it.
"I don't know much about the Sales Development Department, so please teach me well, Miss Kim Yeon."
"Oh no, I'm just a regular employee, and you're a supervisor..."
"Still, those who have been here longer know much better. Right, Miss Min-hee?"
Kang Min-hee, sipping coffee, glanced at her and replied with a blank expression.
"Yes, sure."
"...Hek, your short response makes me sad."
Seeing Kang Min-hee not paying much attention, Oh Hye-seo pretended to cry and joked around. Maybe this seemed quite endearing, as the male employees in the department would often playfully talk to her.
During lunch, Kim Yeon talked about Oh Hye-seo while eating hamburgers with Kang Min-hee.
"Min-hee Unnie, isn't Supervisor Oh amazing? Even though she was bullied, she always stays cheerful..."
"Hmm..."
Kang Min-hee replied indifferently while chewing on fries.
"She...feels really suspicious"
"Hm, pardon? Why?"
"Well, that team leader from the Management Department, Im. I saw him apologize to Oh Hye-seo before he left. He apologized for bullying her, saying he didn't know why he did it and that he was sorry for not being considerate. He was crying and seemed genuinely sorry."
"Huh. Why would someone like that bully then..."
"That's what I'm saying is strange. I know Team Leader Im a bit, and he's a really kind person. He's soft-hearted, loves animals, and volunteers at orphanages, especially the one supported by SJD, the Orandoran House. The higher-ups thought highly of him, and he was even up for a promotion. So, what would make such a person bully Supervisor Oh?"
Kim Yeon stole Kang Min-hee's fries and thought.
"Maybe he just didn't like her at first sight?"
"That's unlikely. Even if you don't like someone at first glance, working together in this company and getting scolded by the boss makes it so you can't help but get close. Anyway, I really don't think there was actual bullying."
"Huh? Then what was it?"
"Well it was...but where did my fries go?"
Although she heard some unsettling things from Kang Min-hee during lunch, Kim Yeon still found herself liking Oh Hye-seo whenever she saw her.
Actually, Oh Hye-seo was a person who was liked by everyone.
Kim Yeon soon forgot all about Kang Min-hee's words and became close to Oh Hye-seo.
Moreover, Oh Hye-seo was very capable. Within three days of her transfer, she surpassed Kang Min-hee to become the top elite in the department.
Before long, Oh Hye-seo and Kim Yeon were calling each other 'Unnie' and 'Dongsaeng' (An affectionate way of calling someone younger than you).
The tasks given by Seo Eun-hyun were always tough, but Oh Hye-seo took on all the difficult ones herself, leaving only the easy ones for Kim Yeon, which naturally made her interact more with Oh Hye-seo than Seo Eun-hyun.
"Ah, Unnie. I've finished this."
"Hmm, thanks. Ah, Yeon-ah. You made a mistake here?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry."
"It's fine. It's no biggie between us."
Oh Hye-seo would often overlook Kim Yeon's mistakes.
But Seo Eun-hyun was different.
"Colleague Kim, you got the document name wrong."
"I-I'm sorry."
"There are also some small format errors. Did you use the B12 format I gave you last time?"
"Actually...I used a different one. I'm sorry."
"...I told you to use that format. Why did you use a different one?"
"I'm sorry."
'Hye-seo Unnie always asked for this format...'
"Redo it."
Receiving the document back from a stern Seo Eun-hyun, Kim Yeon pouted slightly as she started over.
That's how it was at first.
But as time passed, things started to feel strange.
"Oh my, Yeon-ah. You made a mistake here again."
"Ah, really?"
Oh Hye-seo always found mistakes in her documents.
But at some point, Seo Eun-hyun stopped saying anything.
"Ah, thank you. You can go now."
"Um...Supervisor?"
"Yes?"
"Did I make any mistakes?"
"Hmm, no mistakes."
"But someone else said this was wrong..."
"Really? Who?"
"Supervisor Oh..."
"Ah...Miss Hye-seo said that? Weird. We all use this format..."
After briefly flipping through the documents, Seo Eun-hyun shook his head.
"Kim Yeon, there's nothing wrong here. Maybe Miss Hye-seo pointed out something else?"
"Oh...I guess I remembered wrong. I'm sorry."
"It's nothing. You've been improving a lot lately and have been very helpful."
As her skills improved, Seo Eun-hyun stopped criticizing her.
But Oh Hye-seo continued to insist she made mistakes just like the beginning when she didn't, laughing it off.
'Why?'
Kim Yeon felt something was off, but she let it go for the time being.
However, there was one incident involving Oh Hye-seo.
It happened after a company dinner.
Everyone was slightly drunk.
Kim Yeon, in particular, was a bit tipsy.
Before everyone headed their separate ways, Kim Yeon saw Oh Hye-seo following Seo Eun-hyun.
'Huh? What's this? Hye-seo Unnie...'
She decided to follow Oh Hye-seo.
At first, she just intended to say goodbye.
But at some point, Oh Hye-seo disappeared.
'...?'
As if she had hidden somewhere in the darkness, Oh Hye-seo was nowhere to be seen.
But her distinctive perfume lingered.
Oh Hye-seo was definitely nearby.
This strange situation where Oh Hye-seo disappeared, her perfume remained lingering on the nose, and its source was near Seo Eun-hyun.
At some point, as if entranced, Kim Yeon followed Seo Eun-hyun to find Oh Hye-seo.
But Seo Eun-hyun noticed Kim Yeon awkwardly following him before she could find Oh Hye-seo.
"...Uh..."
"...Kim Yeon?"
Kim Yeon met Seo Eun-hyun's gaze with a blank expression, mouth agape.
'Ah, I was only following Hye-seo Unnie...'
The situation had turned strange.
Seo Eun-hyun, slightly taken aback, asked,
"What are you doing here?"
For a moment, Kim Yeon was at a loss for words.
She always found Seo Eun-hyun a bit intimidating.
And now, it seemed like she had been caught stalking him.
"Um...that's..."
'I saw Hye-se Unnie stalking Supervisor Seo, so I followed her to see just what she was doing.'
Kim Yeon tried to say that, but what came out was different.
"Hye...Hye...Supervisor Seo...stalking..."
Seo Eun-hyun seemed to process her words for a moment, then responded with a thunderous statement.
"You were stalking me?"
"Ah, no, no..."
Fortunately, Seo Eun-hyun smiled.
"Haha, just kidding. It seems you can't speak well right now because of being drunk. Come here for now, I'll help you. So...someone seems to be stalking you so you wanted my help, right?"
"Uh...ah..."
She wanted to say something, but whether it was from nervousness or drunkenness, she couldn't speak properly.
She wanted to explain, but since she couldn't speak, she just let it be.
Thud!
"Uh..."
"Ah, Miss Kim Yeon. Can you walk?"
"...Wuu..."
"Hah...I'll call a taxi for you up ahead. Can you walk that far?"
Kim Yeon felt sick to her stomach.
She nodded, indicating she couldn't walk.
She felt unjustly treated.
She was only following Oh Hye-seo, but now she was collapsing and being carried in front of a boss she didn't even like.
Seo Eun-hyun sighed and managed to lift her onto his back.
"I'll carry you to the bus stop up ahead. I'll call a taxi for you there..."
"...Super...visor...thank...you..."
As Kim Yeon was being carried on Seo Eun-hyun's back to the bus stop, a mix of drunkenness and sadness bubbled up inside her, making her emotions boil over.
And then, she poured that boiling something onto Seo Eun-hyun's back.
"Tha...thank...buweeeegh..."
"Ahhh! Kim Yeon! What are you doing!"
After that, she couldn't remember clearly.
Seo Eun-hyun screamed in fright, then checked on her several times to see if she was okay.
He asked her multiple times where her home was, and when she couldn't answer, he took her to a nearby motel and gently laid her down.
"Hah...I'm going crazy. Will this even wash out?"
Kim Yeon, lying in the motel bed, murmured in a daze.
"I'm sorry..."
"Ah...it's fine. It can happen...when you're...drunk...Get a goodnight's sleep. I've set an alarm on your phone, so make sure to go to work on time tomorrow. If you really can't get up, at least call in. The room key is next to you."
With that, Seo Eun-hyun left the room.
Although she was very nervous when they arrived at the motel, nothing much happened.
'Ah, Supervisor Seo. Really...'
She thought about Seo Eun-hyun as she closed her eyes in bed.
'Thank...you...'
She soon fell deeply asleep.
That night, she had a nightmare.
In the nightmare, she woke up to find someone stroking her hair and measuring her fingernails with a ruler next to her bed.
That something hummed a cheerful tune, but its eyes, visible in the darkness, were eerily emotionless.
A strong scent of roses wafted from the figure.
It was the same scent Oh Hye-seo used.
Kim Yeon wanted to scream, but in the dream, her mouth was sealed shut, preventing her from making any sound.
The black figure pried open her mouth, counted her teeth, and then disappeared.
It was a nightmare she never wanted to have again, but morning came nonetheless. When Kim Yeon recalled what happened last night, she thought she was going to lose her mind.
"...Ah, should I just die?"
'I...what did I do to Supervisor Seo...'
Thinking she wouldn't have any excuse even if she got slapped at work, Kim Yeon went to work with a gloomy expression.
But contrary to her expectations, Seo Eun-hyun didn't say much.
"Are you here, Miss Kim Yeon?"
"Ah, yes...Um, Supervisor. Last night...thank you"
"Ah, well. You seemed to be having a hard time, so I just gave some help. Drink in moderation next time. Also, the Executive Director is coming today, so please organize these charts."
Whatever happened yesterday, Seo Eun-hyun was still Seo Eun-hyun.
Nothing had changed much.
But Kim Yeon's heart changed a bit that day.
Kuaaaang―
Kim Yeon stares at the massive trace of destruction before her.
Surung―
The flying knife at her fingertips hums.
As if it still has plenty of energy.
"Hm..."
Recalling old memories, she smiles bitterly.
'Back then, what did Eun-hyun Oppa think of me?'
Maybe it's because of that incident that he doesn't see her as a romantic partner.
But after that incident, Kim Yeon found herself liking Seo Eun-hyun a bit more.
Previously, Seo Eun-hyun was a cold, work-obsessed labor devil who occasionally smiled, but at some point, she started to appreciate his behavior more.
Was it because he evaluated her as she was, unlike Oh Hye-seo, who subtly created mistakes that didn't exist?
Or maybe it was because she saw him smile more often as her work skills improved.
Her feelings for Seo Eun-hyun.
The first seed was planted on the first day she officially joined the company, but it's clear that the sprout started to grow from that moment.
The sprout grew slowly.
The sprout became a stem, taking root in the heart and gradually thickening.
Reflecting on the past years, Kim Yeon hones her heart and martial arts.
As she retraces the past years, her time at the cult also passes.
Years go by.
Oh Hyun-seok regains the Nascent Soul stage.
Countless years pass.
Oh Hyun-seok reached the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being stage from the Nascent Soul stage, Jeon Myeong-hoon built all of the Five Elements Axes, reaching Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage, and Hong Fan reached the mid Four-Axis stage, marking the long passage of time.
During that time, Kim Yeon's cultivation realm did not advance.
The only thing that did advance was...
Kwakakakakwang!
"The Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King is exerting their power again!"
"Take cover!!!"
"Left Law Protector's training ground has been destroyed!"
The martial arts she had been honing.
That was all.
Wiiing—
Kim Yeon stands in place, channeling her internal energy.
Within her meridians, the Intertwined Branches Heart Method constantly rotates and connects as one.
Her pure martial arts realm has already reached the extreme of Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
However, the power of Kim Yeon's martial arts is absolutely not just that of Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
Kugugugugu—
For a moment, a pinkish glow seems to scatter throughout the entire White Yin Domain.
Hwarururu—
The internal energy of the Intertwined Branches Heart Method burns through Kim Yeon's entire body.
"Huuuuu...".
As she exhales, the pure spiritual forces that envelop her re-enters her body.
"Ah, no. What is this...?"
Hong Fan, who has run to her training ground, looks at her with a stunned expression.
"Lady Kim Yeon, just now..."
"Ah, Hong Fan, you're here? Ahaha, I went a bit overboard."
"...That, was not the power of a puppet but Lady Kim's own...martial arts?"
"Yes. I don't know exactly, but at some point, the output started to amplify immensely"
"...Incredible, haha. I understand you're still at the realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin..."
"I'm sorry for worrying you. Aigoo, it's really broken down. But don't worry too much, I'll handle the fixing with the puppets."
Hong Fan stares at Kim Yeon with a bewildered expression for a moment before shaking his head and speaking.
"Ah. While I did run here in surprise, more importantly, the Strategist-nim has called for a meeting."
"Yeon Wei-nim?"
"Yes, she has called everyone to the Wuji Religious Hall. Not just Lady Kim Yeon, but also all the Guardian Ghost Kings and the Law Protectors."
"Hmm, what's going on?"
Kim Yeon follows Hong Fan with a puzzled look.
Shortly after.
The Wuji Religious Hall where the cult leader Wuji Ghost King Seo Eun-hyun resides.
In its basement, several important figures have gathered.
Chief Law Protector Six Extremes Ghost King Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Left Law Protector Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King Kim Yeon.
Right Law Protector Soul Extinguishing Ghost King Oh Hyun-seok.
Guardian Law Protector Hong Fan, and other important figures than the Four Great Law Protectors of the Wuji Religious Order.
The First Guardian Ghost King, Wei Shi-hon.
Starting with the Second Guardian Ghost King Eum Wa, twelve Guardian Ghost Kings also gathered underground.
Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes gleam as he sees Seo Eun-hyun's shadow.
"Seo Eun...no, Cult Leader. You have also mastered the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body. And it has already reached great completion."
[...Because of you, I couldn't not learn it. Damn it. You should have held...huuh, no. It was an insult that couldn't be held back. Well done.]
"You know well. Honestly, if you had experienced something similar, wouldn't you have lost your mind too?"
After some small talk among themselves, they fall silent when Yeon Wei finally enters.
Seo Eun-hyun also stops chatting with Jeon Myeong-hoon, his eyes brightening.
[Now that everyone is here, let's start the meeting.]
At his words, all the Guardian Ghost Kings, except for the Four Great Law Protectors, kneel before Seo Eun-hyun. After a moment, Seo Eun-hyun raises his 19 heads and speaks.
[Enough with the excessive courtesy. Military Strategist, explain the reason for the assembly.]
"Yes, Cult Leader. First of all, everyone. We have some bad news."
Yeon Wei speaks with a hardened expression.
Following Yeon Wei's words, not only the Four Great Law Protectors, except for Jeon Myeong-hoon, but also the twelve Guardian Ghost Kings are startled.
"Penglai Island, Underworld Ghost Palace, and Black Ghost Palace have designated our Wuji Religious Order as a heretical cult, and have declared the Cult Leader as the public enemy of the White Yin Domain."
I hold my throbbing head while sitting on the cult leader's seat.
'I didn't expect it to come to this.'
It has already been 230 years since we came to the Netherworld.
By now, my colleagues have one by one gained combat power fitting of the Four-Axis stage or are on the verge of reaching it.
I have also succeeded in building more than 70% of my Longevity Axis.
Moreover, branches of the Wuji Religious Order have spread all over the Lower Realms, and those borrowing my power are increasing, accelerating the establishment of my Longevity Axis.
However, at some point, the Underworld Ghost Palace and Penglai Island figured out what I was doing through the movements of the Wuji Religious Order.
They discovered that I am building the Five Blessings Axes in the White Yin Domain, and unlike the three major sects—Shadow Yin Gate, White Vein Gate, and Death Corpse Sect—who didn't understand the Five Blessings Axes, they are not pleased that I, who knows about it, am in control.
In the end, they pressured me, almost like a threat, to join either the Underworld Ghost Palace or Penglai Island.
And in that process, Jeon Myeong-hoon killed the envoys from Underworld Ghost Palace and Penglai Island.
The reason is that the two envoys mocked Jeon Myeong-hoon after witnessing him caressing the hand of Jin So-hae.
As a result, the two major forces declared me a public enemy. Additionally, Baek Rin, whom we missed previously, brought the Black Ghost Palace to oppose me, ultimately leading me to be designated as a public enemy by the three major forces.
Upon learning this, Yeon Wei made a proposal, looking as if she had a headache.
―Since it has come to this, let's abandon the Wuji Religious Order.
―What? What do you mean by that?
—You've already built over 70% of the Longevity Axis anyway, and your influence in the Lower Realms has grown enough. Abandon the Wuji Religious Order in the White Yin Domain and establish another in a different Void Spirit Pond. Just change the name slightly, and there won't be any problems.
―What about the followers then?
―What about them? Do you think you're a real cult leader? Don't get too immersed in the role!
―No, but you were the one who enjoyed it the most...
—Nonsense. Anyway, gather the core leadership tomorrow and announce it.
I sigh as I recall Yeon Wei's words.
[Haaa...]
Nineteen mouths exhale a bluish breath.
The Guardian Ghost Kings, who have been trembling with anxiety, stand up and take a listening stance at my reaction.
[From now on, this Cult Leader will set the course of action.]
I glance at Yeon Wei, who is sending me a look from the side, and speak.
[The Wuji Religious Order will not back down. Whether those pig-like three major forces come or not, this seat will not abandon this land.]
I feel sorry for Yeon Wei, but so what if I've become a public enemy?
Crunch—
I clench the void and smile.
[Now, I have enough power to protect those who follow me.]
I am no longer weak enough to waver between good and evil.
[Place your trust in me! I will protect you all. Blessed are those who believe!]
"Cult Leader! Cult Leader! Cult Leader! Cult Leader! Cult Leader! Cult Leader! Cult Leader!"
***