CFZ

The air had turned ice-cold.

Every gaze in the room was fixed on me, and the surging bloodlust pricked at my chest.
Thump.
I felt my heart beat once, sharply, and moved my hand.

Flinch!
Even that small motion made them react.
Their heightened tension was palpable.

I reached out and grabbed the teacup.
Before I smashed the table earlier, I had intentionally lifted it into the air.
It’d be a shame to waste it. The food had been good, but so was the tea.

Slurp.
I took a sip, letting the liquid ease my throat.
The silence lingered.

And then—
“…How the hell did you know…?”
The man who had spoken earlier repeated his question.

I already knew what he meant.
“What do you mean?”
But I played dumb.

The man scowled and clarified.
“How did you know what this place is?”
“Oh, that.”
He wanted to know how I had figured out this was the Celestial Stream Sect’s base.

“Now, why would I tell you that?”
“...”
As if I’d reveal something that valuable.

Though, in truth, it was just a fragment of information I’d overheard in my past life.
Still, to them, it must’ve seemed like a shocking revelation.
Naturally, I planned to use that to my advantage.

“How I knew doesn’t matter. Not to me, anyway.”
Creak.
I leaned back in my chair, which groaned under my weight.

Not the best quality, it seemed.
“What really matters right now is…”
“Aaahhh!”

I grabbed the woman by the hair and yanked her up from the floor.
“Where’s your sect leader? That’s all I asked.”
“You bastard—!”

Crunch.
“—!!”
A grotesque sound filled the room as the woman let out a scream.

I had twisted her left arm until it bent at an unnatural angle.
The pain was obvious.
“Keep your answers short if you want to keep your limbs.”

“You son of a—!”
“Stop it already!”
Haha.

Still no respect.
I reached for her right arm next.
“W-wait!”

The man finally stepped in to stop me.
“Enough, stop!”
“...”

I ignored him and tightened my grip.
He shouted again.
“Stop!”

His tone had shifted. Formal now.
Finally.
I released her and smiled at him.

“There we go.”
“Ghh…”
“Relax your face, will you? A guest walks in, and this is how you treat him?”

“What’s the meaning of this?”
“…Oh, I hate repeating myself. Are you just slow, or what?”
I had already told them my reason.

“Call your sect leader.”
“...”
“Still don’t get it? Need me to explain again?”

I let go of the woman and grabbed something else instead.
The kid who’d been knocked out and slumped over the table.
“Hey.”

No response.
I smirked.
“Playing dead, huh? Should I wake you up? It’s gonna hurt.”

“…!”
The boy flinched.
“…B-brother.”

The kid—who had already been exposed—called out to me weakly.
“Brother, my ass. You’re older than me, aren’t you? Should I rip out your tongue?”
As if that would ever work.

He wasn’t really a kid.
The makeup and outfit had disguised him well, but his body…
I’d seen this before.

There were assassins who looked like this—stunted by disease or training.
I grabbed his head tightly.
“Urgh…!!!”

He groaned and drooled.
I pressed harder, just enough to keep it from getting lethal.
Not that it mattered if it went too far.

It wasn’t my head on the line, after all.
“Ugh… urgh.”
“Stop it!”

“How can someone from the Martial Alliance be this cruel—?!”
Hearing that made me laugh.
Cruel?

“You tried to cozy up to me and dig for intel, and now you’re crying? Acting like you’re innocent—what a joke.”
I’d known from the start.
These guys had noticed me the moment I arrived in the area.

They’d been keeping an eye on me since then.
Their stealth was impressive—so subtle I might not have noticed if I hadn’t focused.
The fact that they’d prepared this much showed their skill.

And judging by the looks on their faces, they didn’t like that I knew.
“Now listen carefully, because I won’t repeat myself again. I usually don’t let it slide after three times, but since the food was good, I’m being generous.”
“Ugh…”

“Where’s your sect leader? You’ve got three seconds before this one dies.”
I held up three fingers and began folding them down, one by one.
“One. Two…”

I reached the last finger and was about to finish when—
“Th-the sect leader isn’t here right now!”
“Oh?”

Finally, a response.
“Thanks for finally answering.”
If they’d taken a second longer, I’d have had a body to clean up.

“The sect leader’s not here?”
“…Y-yes. He’s currently away.”
“Where?”

“...”
“Answer.”
“Gaaah!!!”

“H-he left on business! He won’t be back today!”
“Hmm. That so?”
I loosened my grip and let the kid slump to the floor.

“Huuh…”
He collapsed, clutching his head.
It must’ve hurt like hell.

I ignored him and stroked my chin.
‘He’s not here, huh?’
I repeated the words in my head.

This tavern clearly wasn’t their main force.
Still, their skill level was higher than expected.
They were wary of me—one person.

It wasn’t just because I was from the Martial Alliance.
‘They can feel it.’
They sensed I was dangerous.

Sure, I’d leaked a little aura intentionally, but for them to pick up on it so quickly…
‘Something’s «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» definitely off.’
According to Muk Yeon’s intel, this shouldn’t have been possible.

Had something changed?
‘Interesting.’
It should’ve annoyed me, but instead, I felt intrigued.

“Too bad. I needed to speak with your leader.”
“If you tell me your business, I’ll deliver the message properly.”
“Nah. It’s something I need to say to him directly. You’re just a lackey—stay out of it.”

“...”
The man’s expression twisted.
Judging by his tone earlier, he had some authority here.

I locked eyes with him.
“So? Do you know why I’m here?”
“…No.”

“But you know who I am, right?”
“Of course. Who wouldn’t? The Star King of Shanxi. The Hero of Henan. The next contender for the title of the Greatest Under Heaven.”
“Ugh…”

Hearing it said out loud made me nauseous.
But at least it confirmed they knew my identity.
“Then think about it. Why do you think I came here?”

“…We don’t know. That’s what we want to ask. Why would someone of your status come all the way out here?”
Wasn’t it obvious?
“For you lot, of course. Why else would I bother causing a scene?”

“...”
They knew I wasn’t lying.
I could see it in their faces.

“Look, I don’t enjoy this kind of hassle either. But orders are orders, right?”
Not that anyone gave me orders.
I’d come here on my own.

“But still… don’t try anything stupid. Let’s keep this simple.”
“Stupid? I told you, the sect leader—”
“Kneel.”

“…!”
BOOM!
With those words, everyone around him, including the man, fell to their knees.
Confusion spread across my face at the unexpected situation.

At the same time—
Uaaaaah—!!!
Kuuuuu—!!
Energy erupted and filled the room.
Vibrations spread, and people quickly clutched their chests.

“Ugh—!!”
“Damn…!”
They were so overwhelmed that many staggered and lost consciousness, vomiting blood that splattered across the floor.

This wasn’t just energy.
Its intensity was amplified by mixing killing intent and hostility.
I forced everyone to their knees and gave a slight nod.
“Did I really look like a joke?”
As always, people never understood when you spoke nicely.
This process never changed, no matter where I went.

“I guess so. Must’ve been funny enough to try and fool me with such pathetic lies.”
“I… I mean…”
The man didn’t seem weak, holding onto his composure despite the pressure.
Not bad. If I matched him up against Seong Yul, they’d probably be even.

Just one sect.
Honestly, it was a waste for someone like him to be stuck in the Celestial Stream Sect, which wasn’t even a prestigious political faction.
And that only made it more suspicious.

Why the hell is someone like him here?
It’s definitely odd…
Well, that’s something to think about later. Right now, there are more pressing matters.
Crackkk—!!
The structure kept warping under the pressure. Judging by the sound, it wouldn’t last much longer.
And what about the human body?

Martial artists might be tougher than normal people, but even they wouldn’t hold out for long.
If this pressure keeps up, they’ll collapse soon.
I felt it and turned my head.
“This isn’t a warning. I’ll do it if I have to.”

I glanced toward a spot that looked like the kitchen, just past the fallen bodies.
I spoke while staring at that place.
No response.
I kept talking, acting like I didn’t care.

“If you want to find out why, keep it up.”
Thump.
I strengthened my heart and added even more energy. No hesitation.
I was seriously ready to crush this place.

Since I’m already doing this, I might as well add some heat to the mix.
Just as I had that thought—
“Heh.”

The sound of laughter made me pause for a moment.
It was the voice I’d been waiting for.
“…Well now. You’re even worse than the rumors.”
Step.

Quiet footsteps echoed as someone stepped out from the kitchen.
It was an old man holding a kitchen knife.
What stood out was how dark his hair was compared to his wrinkled face.
I asked, genuinely surprised.
“You wouldn’t happen to be the one who made the food, would you?”

“That’s right. I’m glad it suited your taste.”
“Well, that’s unexpected.”
I meant it.

The food had been really damn good, and this old man cooked it?
While I was left dumbfounded, the old man spoke again.
“It’s an honor to meet the great leader of the Martial Alliance.”

His eyes wrinkled even more as he smiled.
“Now that I’ve shown myself, could you ease your anger?”
“An honor, huh? You sure made it hard to see you.”

“Heh… I apologize. I’m a bit shy, you see.”
The black-haired old man slowly approached through my aura.
That old man was him.
Dae Hwan, the Celestial Stream Sect Leader.

I remembered his face from before.
Ssssssss….
I retracted my energy as if humoring him.
The aura I’d spread began to withdraw, and coughing sounds echoed around me.

“Cough—cough…!”
“Guh… ugh.”
While those who escaped the pressure struggled to recover, Dae Hwan pulled up a chair, sat down, and looked over the broken table and fallen bodies.

“May I send the children away for now?”
“Suit yourself.”
As soon as I gave permission, he waved his hand.

Whoosh—!
The assassins disguised as a child and a woman floated into the air, then landed in someone else’s arms.
“Clean this up.”

“…Y-yes.”
By that point, the ones still capable of moving had already started helping the injured.
“I’m Dae Hwan, the leader of this sect.”

The Celestial Stream Sect Leader introduced himself.
“I know.”
“First, let me apologize on behalf of the children. They were a bit disrespectful to the great lord…”

He lowered his head slightly.
I looked at the top of his head and laughed.
“Fuck off.”

“...”
“You knew everything already, didn’t you? So why don’t you drop the act?”
“…Heh.”

It was surprising to see him cooking in the kitchen.
But the fact that he was here and knew I was coming? That wasn’t a surprise at all.
“Old man, stop pretending and just act normal. It’s fucking disgusting to watch.”

“...”
The wrinkles around his eyes smoothed out as his expression changed.
The sinister aura radiating from him sent a chill down my spine.

“Boy, your tongue’s too sharp for your age.”
His voice and tone shifted completely.
“Oh, really? And your men? Their tongues were pretty sharp too. Talking down to the leader of the Martial Alliance? Did they want me to beat their asses?”

“Are you arrogant because of your strength? Or is that just your personality?”
“What do you think?”
“I don’t care. That’s not what matters to me.”

Dae Hwan’s eyes sharpened as he spoke.
“I’ve heard the rumors. That the boy from the Shanxi Gu family became a king… That he rose to lead the Martial Alliance. But.”
His gaze turned predatory.

“What brings the great Star King to visit this old man?”
Crack.
I felt something prickle against my skin.

It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
I ignored it and opened my mouth.
“Nothing much.”

I pulled out a document from my sleeve and showed it to him.
It bore the Martial Alliance’s seal.
“The Celestial Stream Sect in Sichuan. Reports say you’re connected to the demonic cult that attacked Henan. I’m here to investigate. Do you agree?”
“...”

Dae Hwan’s face froze in disbelief.
“You came here alone for that? And you’re just saying it outright?”
“What, you think I came here for the food? Sorry, but I’m not a foodie. And even if you don’t agree, it doesn’t matter. I don’t actually need your permission.”

“What happens if I say no?”
“Well…”
I pretended to think for a second before smiling.

“Then I’ll just beat the shit out of everyone here. You’re all heretics anyway.”
“…Hahaha.”
Dae Hwan laughed like I’d told the funniest joke in the world.

But just as suddenly, his laughter stopped.
“…You came alone.”
“Yeah. My men are resting.”

“And you’re still this bold? What makes you so confident?”
I tilted my head.
“Wasn’t what I just showed you enough?”

Dae Hwan finally smirked.
“No, it’s enough. You have every right to be arrogant.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”

“But let me warn you, boy.”
Dae Hwan’s eyes glinted.
“You may be a divine beast, but don’t let arrogance make you reckless.”

I smirked.
“Let’s test that theory, shall we?”
A mistake of the heavens, huh?
I suppose you could call it that.
An overwhelming genius.
His tone was layered, subtle.

“The world isn’t always what it seems.”
“That’s true. The world isn’t what it seems.”
It was something I could genuinely agree with.

“What you see isn’t everything. It really isn’t.”
“…Huh?”
“Anyway… Let’s cut the crap. I’ve got a lot of questions for you.
But first, I’ll give you a choice.
There’s something I’d like to recommend.”

Dae Hwan frowned at my words.
“You didn’t hear me earlier, did you?”
“First option.”

I smirked.
“You keep fucking around, I beat the shit out of you, blow this whole situation wide open, and drag you off to prison.”
“You…!”

Dae Hwan rose abruptly, trying to say something.
“Second option.”
I cut him off.

“You team up with the Azure Dragon Lord when he shows up later and start planning how you’re gonna kill me.”
He froze.
The moment those words left my mouth, Dae Hwan’s body stiffened.
His face contorted with uncertainty.

I smiled, clearly enjoying his reaction.
“So? What’s it gonna be?
Which one do you prefer?”