Chapter 61

The Demon Sect is divided into four major factions.


Heavenly Demon God Sect, Blood Church, Fire Worship.


And the Demon Sect, composed of martial artists who betrayed their own sects and families.


The main palace of the Ilwol God Sect.


Ten figures dressed in pure white robes, summoned through a formation, discussed their plans.


“The Namgung Family has contacted us. As expected, the Sword Dragon of Namgung and the Ice Phoenix of Bingung have gathered at Jeoseokhyeon.”


The First Elder, with a white veil covering his face, led the meeting. The other elders’ eyes gleamed with greed, not for the Sword Dragon or Ice Phoenix, but for something else.


“…Why did you leave out the part about the young one using the Dog Chasing Stick Technique? Trying to keep it to yourself?”


The Third Elder, Tang Wu from the Sichuan Tang Family, sneered. The First Elder sighed and turned to the Ninth Elder.


“I asked not to mention it to avoid confusion. Did you already spread the word?”


The Ninth Elder, Hyeonho from the Southern Barbarian Five Poison Sect, made a fox-like expression.


“Well, to explain, I advised caution since it might involve secret sect members or… those cursed by heaven.”


The meeting room echoed with the sly laughter of a fox.


“Wow~ Who would’ve thought we’d encounter someone immune to curses, using a swift stick technique, while on a simple mission to kill the Sword Dragon~ It was quite the ordeal.”


The First Elder finally realized the strange heat he’d felt since the meeting began.


The Dog Chasing Stick Technique, one of the three great stick techniques of the martial world, alongside the Shaolin’s Golden Demon Subduing Staff Technique and the Song Dynasty Founder’s Staff Technique, had caught their attention.


Moreover, the Dog Chasing Stick Technique was one of the few advanced martial arts the Ilwol God Sect hadn’t acquired, as it was passed down orally from one leader to the next.


It was virtually impossible for outsiders to learn without extraordinary circumstances, and stealing it by force was out of the question since the current leader was the practitioner.


The First Elder glanced at the elders, their eyes filled with greed.


…Yet, such a secret technique was being used by a mere young martial artist.


It was a story that would naturally make the elders, who had betrayed their sects to join the Demon Sect in pursuit of power, go mad with envy.


“Everyone—it’s not yet confirmed that the technique being used is the Dog Chasing Stick Technique. So, for now, focus on your assigned tasks.”


The First Elder, acting as the sect leader, drew a firm line with a gentle yet forceful warning. The elders nodded in agreement.


Well, more like they let it slide.


After all, to escalate the factional strife within the Namgung Family, they needed to go to Jeoseokhyeon and kill the Sword Dragon.


In doing so, they could confirm whether the young martial artist, Sima Mantian, was truly using the Dog Chasing Stick Technique.


“Hmm… Jeoseokhyeon… That’s where Miaoyang is staying…”


But as the elders’ tension subsided, a beautiful woman with long black hair and a voluptuous figure softly muttered to herself.


“Really… Is that child lucky or unlucky? Such a tenacious bond.”


Ma Yang, the Seventh Elder from the Jeonjin Sect, thought of her cute junior sister, Wang Miaoyang, who had been diligently searching for her, and smiled mysteriously.


‘…What is that child doing now?’


Is she sharpening her blade of revenge against me, who killed our master? Or is she enjoying the vast world she’s just encountered?


Personally, she was curious.


…So, Ma Yang, as if casually mentioning she was going out for a bit, smiled at the First Elder and said, “About the assassination of Namgung Sososo… If it’s alright, can I go myself?”


***


In a garden where beautiful pink peach blossoms fluttered, Yeonghwa was spending a happy moment with Sima Mantian.


“Hehe… You like it here, don’t you? My cute little kitten.”


Enjoying the affectionate voice tickling her ear and the gentle hand stroking her chin, she blushed shyly.


“Meow, meow… Meow… I like it.”


Using Sima Mantian’s left arm wrapped around her waist as an excuse, she leaned against his firm chest and acted spoiled.


After a long time apart, she was being showered with affection by her beloved brother.


Feeling the warmth in his embrace, she waited for his touch. She truly felt like a little kitten.


“More… More… Please spoil me, brother.”


Without a hint of shame, she showed her most indulgent side.


“How could I not spoil you? Even without you saying—”


With a firm pull, she was embraced even tighter, and a sweet whisper reached her ears.


“I’ll spoil you until you’re a complete mess.”


Their greedy amber eyes and deeply passionate red eyes met.


The breaths of the two drew closer.


…But unfortunately, their lips did not meet.


**Kwa-gwa-gaga-!!**


Suddenly, the ground split open, and a giant monster emerged, separating Sima Mantian and Yeonghwa.


“Kyaoo~!!”


With deep, dark abyss-like eyes and three heads spewing fire, the creature was none other than the three-headed evil dragon, Aži Dahāka.


The herald of destruction, Aži Dahāka, suddenly appeared, shocking Yeonghwa’s red eyes.


“W-why… I just wanted to share some affection with my brother…”


It seemed that was the problem.


Aži Dahāka’s right head, with glowing blue eyes, swiftly snatched Sima Mantian.


“Waaaah~ Yeonghwa!!”


“B-brother-?!”


Sima Mantian, now round and cute from Yeonghwa’s pampering, was helplessly flailing his arms as he was dragged away by Aži Dahāka.


Witnessing this shocking scene, tears of regret welled up in Yeonghwa’s eyes.


“I-I… fed him too much… I’m sorry… I’m sorry, brother. I’ll control his diet from now on.”


Regardless, the creature resembling Aži Dahāka looked at the captured Sima Mantian with satisfaction, squishing his soft, mochi-like cheeks.


“Round and round Sima Mantian, so cute. Mine. Together forever.”


…And with that, it began walking towards the endless sea that had appeared from the split ground.


Past the sea, crossing the sea.


The waves crashing, the humiliation of losing her beloved man right before her eyes soaked her body.


Ironically, the shock brought Yeonghwa back to her senses.


…Now, Aži Dahāka or whatever, it didn’t matter.


The flames of anger and jealousy boiled over, evaporating the seawater.


Rising up, she burned the false world.


‧


‧


‧


“Ha… Ha… It was just a dream.”


Sitting up in bed, she opened the window, letting the heavy air out.


She had just taken a nap, tired, but had a ridiculous nightmare.


…But something felt ominous, even if it was just a dream.


Contrary to her troubled mind, a pleasant breeze blew in. Fluttering petals flew towards her.


The sound of a pipa, impossible to hear, reached her ears.


The image of her brother, who always prepared colored paper and played the pipa while singing for her, came to mind.


Always reaching out first, always extending his hand…


Her brother, who protected her, a monster capable of burning the world, with all his might, came to mind.


She touched the Zoroastrian symbol hanging around her neck.


“……”


Without further hesitation, Yeonghwa ordered her maid to prepare a bath and a change of clothes.


It was time to meet her brother.


After all, husband and wife are one. Being apart for so long was unnatural.


…And if the nightmare she just had was not just a dream but a divine message from Ahura Mazda, then her brother was in danger.


The unquenchable flames flickered in Yeonghwa’s beautiful red eyes.


Then, this time, it was her turn to protect her brother.