Song Cheon-baek tilted his head, confusion clouding his face.
"Another world? Are you familiar with that concept, Your Majesty?"
Lee Seong-jun gave a faint, knowing smile.
"Quite so. There have been multiple invasions of Earth by entities from other dimensions."
Song Cheon-baek quickly nodded. Thanks to the exchange of information with Emilia and others connected to Earth, he understood enough to grasp what the Emperor meant. Still, doubt lingered.
Even with all his experience, the idea that an alien being—a visitor from another world—was now ruling over the continent was difficult to fully accept.
Lee Seong-jun noticed the hesitation and chuckled quietly.
"You seem to have a lot on your mind."
"No! How could I possibly doubt Your Majesty's words?"
The Blood Emperor's calm gaze made Song Cheon-baek's heart tighten. He immediately bowed his head, his earlier confusion replaced by sincerity.
Loyalty had long been his instinct. To Song Cheon-baek, Lee Seong-jun's words were absolute—truth beyond question.
Lee Seong-jun appreciated that about him.
'That kind of loyalty… it's unshakable. That's why I trust him.'
He thought back to how Song Cheon-baek had once risked everything to oppose Emperor Yeon Seo-han. His faith and honesty were genuine, and that made him invaluable.
"I didn't realize it at first because I was too used to it," Lee Seong-jun continued. "But there are too many strange things about this so-called Heavenly Demon."
Song Cheon-baek straightened, listening intently.
"In the long history of the Thousand Continents," the Emperor said, "many reclusive masters have appeared from time to time. Yet not once did they attempt to conquer the world. Experience separates even the greatest hermit from a true ruler. But this Cheonma… he's different."
He paused, his eyes narrowing.
"Though he was once insignificant, he managed to erase the fear of me from Tang Xue's heart—the man who once knelt before the Blood Emperor himself. That alone makes him dangerous."
"Do you mean…" Song Cheon-baek began cautiously.
"At first," Lee Seong-jun said, "I thought he was simply a prodigy, a reclusive genius without precedent. But when he formed a sect instead of an empire—when he named it the Heavenly Demon Sect—I became certain."
Song Cheon-baek frowned. "Certain of what?"
"There was no such force on this continent," Lee Seong-jun said quietly. "The Heavenly Demon Sect existed only in ancient legend. When I ruled as the Blood Emperor, I scoured every corner of the world for knowledge about the Heavenly Demon, hoping to strengthen my martial arts. Yet I found nothing—no trace, no history."
He looked up, eyes sharp with conviction.
"The existence of Cheonma itself… should be impossible here."
Song Cheon-baek's eyes widened. "Then… you deduced that he's from another world based on that alone?"
Lee Seong-jun shook his head, smiling faintly.
"No. There's one more reason—the fact that even you couldn't uncover the truth behind his origins."
Song Cheon-baek stiffened.
"If someone with your skill in intelligence gathering cannot reach a conclusion," Lee Seong-jun said, "it means the truth lies beyond common sense. And that's when I made my inference."
Song Cheon-baek bowed deeply, admiration in his voice.
"As expected of Your Majesty… your insight pierces all mysteries."
Lee Seong-jun chuckled. "It's only possible because I have you as my eyes and ears."
A rare smile crossed Song Cheon-baek's face. To be praised by the Blood Emperor himself—it was like tasting glory.
But his expression soon hardened.
"If Cheonma truly hails from another world… what is his purpose here? Conquest? Or something else?"
Lee Seong-jun's gaze darkened. "Purpose? No need to guess. I already know."
Song Cheon-baek looked startled. "You… already know?"
"He didn't come for the Thousand Continents," the Emperor said quietly. "He's here for something… or someone else."
He clenched his hand.
"He took the Blood Empire not for power—but to show it to someone. As if repaying a debt… or perhaps, mocking it."
Song Cheon-baek's eyes widened in shock. "Then…!"
Lee Seong-jun's voice was filled with quiet fury.
"Yes. He's sending a message. To me."
The realization struck them both like thunder.
"The Silent Emperor…" Lee Seong-jun murmured. "So that's what this is about."
It all made sense—the strange actions, the sudden rise, the calculated timing. It was no mere conquest. It was revenge.
A childish one, perhaps—but executed with terrifying precision.
Back then, when Lee Seong-jun had achieved his great feat, the Silent Emperor had challenged him to a duel disguised as a bet. Lee Seong-jun had refused, believing it unnecessary. After that, the Silent Emperor vanished from sight.
But now he understood. The man hadn't given up—he had been waiting. Preparing.
"You've been holding onto that grudge all this time," Lee Seong-jun muttered.
He was forcing the Blood Emperor into a situation where confrontation was inevitable.
If the Silent Emperor had learned of the Gate and Gaia's restrictions, he would have known he couldn't attack Earth directly. That was why he found another way—a way through the Thousand Continents.
Their paths had crossed once more, and this time, there would be no retreat.
"You're trying to lure me in," Lee Seong-jun said softly. "Very well… I'll play your game."
His tone grew cold, his aura sharp as a blade.
"I'll erase your silence myself."
Song Cheon-baek could feel the overwhelming pressure radiating from his emperor.
The Blood Emperor's mind was made up.
This would not be a battle of politics or strategy. It would be a clash between absolute powers—between two beings who once stood above all others.
"Song Cheon-baek," Lee Seong-jun commanded.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Prepare for war. Our target is the Heavenly Demon—and all who kneel beneath him."
Song Cheon-baek slammed a fist to his chest. "By your will!"
The Blood Emperor, conqueror of a thousand continents, had declared war once more.
The news spread like wildfire.
The Blood Emperor was marching again.
Across the lands, rumors and fear mixed in equal measure. Yet amidst the chaos, countless warriors and former loyalists rallied to his banner.
"I have returned to serve the true Emperor!"
"We always knew His Majesty would rise again!"
"Allow me to fight for the restoration of the Blood Empire!"
When Lee Seong-jun first departed from Sochang Castle, fewer than ten people had accompanied him. But within a week, his ranks swelled to hundreds—each step toward the capital gathering more strength.
Even before they reached the imperial palace, his force had grown into a formidable army.
Anna smiled faintly beside him. "It seems you're even more popular than before, Your Majesty."
Lee Seong-jun shrugged lightly. "Popularity is irrelevant. Loyalty is what matters."
Anna smirked. "Oh? Then I suppose I should hear you say that directly."
Before she could tease him further, her expression shifted. Her aura flared as she sensed something—an unfamiliar yet powerful presence rapidly approaching.
"Enemies?" she asked sharply.
Lee Seong-jun raised a hand. "Hold your ground. Let's see what they want first."
Soon, six figures appeared on the horizon—each wearing gray robes and strange, beast-shaped masks. Their movements were calm but deliberate.
Lee Seong-jun narrowed his eyes. Their energy felt… familiar.
The tiger-masked man at the front spoke first. "Let's confirm it. Is that truly the Blood Emperor?"
"I can't tell," said the one in a fox mask. "The energy feels similar, but the aura is different."
"I don't see the scars either," added the rabbit-masked one.
Lee Seong-jun's lips curved into a faint smile. "It's been a while—Iron King, Heartless Horse."
The men stiffened.
"To answer your question," Lee Seong-jun continued, "yes. I am the Blood Emperor. The scars are gone, but the stories behind them remain."
The tiger mask studied him in silence before finally nodding.
"To recognize us at a glance… It seems the true Blood Emperor stands before us indeed."
These were not ordinary warriors. Once legends of the Thousand Continents, they had vanished from the world—recluses whose names were still spoken with awe.
That they had come here now meant one thing: the winds of war had truly begun to blow.
The tiger-masked man's voice rumbled low.
"Then, Blood Emperor… I'll make you an offer you can't refuse."
He extended his hand.
"Let us lend you our strength—and together, reclaim the Thousand Continents."