A realm beyond the Harmony Realm.
Everyone had imagined it at least once. That was only natural—even reaching the Harmony Realm did not reveal the end of martial arts, but only its boundlessness.
That was why Harmony Realm martial artists devoted themselves to training even when there was no one left in the martial world who could oppose them.
Because they instinctively knew that something lay beyond.
But no one had ever truly reached the realm beyond the Harmony Realm.
Over the past several hundred years, every era had produced a few Harmony Realm martial artists, yet there was no record of any of them advancing to the next stage.
The only exceptions, perhaps, were those legendary figures whose very existence was debated throughout the martial world.
Bodhidharma, who was said to have established all of Shaolin's martial arts, or Lü Dongbin, the Sword Immortal who was said to be the root of all Daoist martial arts.
In the history of the martial world, it was merely speculation that only those with this level of presence had ever reached a realm beyond the Harmony Realm.
The idea that the Harmony Realm was the end of one's martial art was a kind of common sense.
But Seomun Hwa-rin had said it. That the Heavenly Demon had definitely reached a realm beyond that.
Because he had risen to a level beyond human, comparable to an immortal, it was called the Transcendent Realm.
Because he had touched a profound principle that even the absolute masters of the Harmony Realm could not comprehend, it was called the Mysterious Realm.
The faces of the other Harmony Realm martial artists, who could not fail to understand the meaning of those words, grew serious.
"Surely not… such a realm truly exists?"
"At the very least, from what this one has seen, it is certain. The gap felt is even more vast than that between Transcendent Peak and the Harmony Realm."
"How could such an opponent come from the Demonic Cult…"
The Murim Alliance Leader closed his eyes tightly and sighed. Great Master Jeonghyeon lightly patted his shoulder and spoke.
"Seomun benefactor did not bring this up to tell us to give up early, I believe. There must be some way, is there not?"
"Correct. This one has no intention of giving up as long as the Heavenly Demon has his sights set on the Central Plains and Cheon Hwi."
Seomun Hwa-rin, having said that, turned her gaze toward Tang So-wol.
"In the memories this one has seen, the only Harmony Realm martial artist who fought the Heavenly Demon to the very end was So-wol alone."
"Surely not…?"
Tang Jincheon's eyes widened as if he had already guessed what she was about to say. Seomun Hwa-rin nodded toward him.
"The reason So-wol survived to the very end is simple. Everyone believed that only So-wol's poison could bring down the Heavenly Demon, and they sacrificed themselves to keep her alive."
That was true. Before she became the Poison Lady, when she was still a Transcendent Peak martial artist, Tang So-wol was strong, but not so outstanding as to stand out.
However, after defeating the Poison Demon and reaching the Harmony Realm, Tang So-wol instantly rose to become the most important figure in the Orthodox-Unorthodox Alliance.
Because only her poison could dissolve the Heavenly Demon's Aura.
That was why the Harmony Realm martial artist who survived to the end was Tang So-wol, and indeed, in the final moment, her poison succeeded in burning away a small part of the Heavenly Demon's flesh.
"The Heavenly Demon is surely strong. Perhaps even now, he is eyeing the realm beyond the Harmony Realm. …However, since ancient times, nothing has been better than poison for bringing down a master stronger than oneself."
Having said that, Seomun Hwa-rin took the bewildered Tang So-wol's hand and pulled her forward.
Tang So-wol, suddenly thrown(?) into the midst of the Murim Alliance's core figures.
Behind her, Seomun Hwa-rin peeked her head out and continued in a serious voice.
"Therefore, this one proposes that we concentrate all of the Murim Alliance's resources on So-wol, helping her quickly advance to the next realm. When the day comes that the Harmony Realm martial artists of the Orthodox-Unorthodox Alliance join forces against the Heavenly Demon, whether So-wol stands with us will make a world of difference."
"…"
The Sichuan Tang Clan was already a force that had grown absurdly powerful, called the greatest clan under heaven.
If they openly pushed Tang So-wol forward on top of that, not only would there be backlash from those around them, but the balance of the martial world itself might collapse afterward.
After deliberating for a long while, the Murim Alliance Leader finally spoke.
"Poison King."
"Speak. The Tang Clan will do its part, but when it comes to the Murim Alliance's decision, we will follow the Alliance Leader's will."
"To be honest, this is hard to believe. In the end, this is a scene I have never seen and cannot see—a situation where I cannot even tell whether it is an illusion or a falsehood."
"I understand."
"However, I am well aware of the Heavenly Demon's strength and its cruelty."
The Murim Alliance Leader had never fought the Heavenly Demon directly like the Lord of the Black Alliance had, but he had received such reports from all over.
Moreover, recently, the revived Slaughter King and the matter of Potala Palace—and on top of that, the extermination of the Kunlun clan—had all happened in succession.
He would also know well that the Heavenly Demon possesses no goodness.
That was likely why this conclusion had been reached.
"The Murim Alliance will spare no effort in supporting the Flying Butterfly Poison Peak. We will bring out every poison hidden in the secret vault, and we will procure any Spiritual Medicine that can be obtained in the Central Plains. …However, there is one condition."
"What is it?"
"Once this matter is concluded, I would like the Tang Clan to withdraw from the Murim Alliance."
"Hm?"
"It is fine for a force as strong as the Murim Alliance to exist. But for a force that dominates within the Murim Alliance—does that not defeat its very purpose?"
"…That is reasonable."
The Murim Alliance was originally an organization meant to mediate between the Orthodox Sects' martial artists and to handle the affairs of the Central Plains martial world as peacefully as possible.
But if the Sichuan Tang Clan grew too large, everyone would only watch the Tang Clan's reactions, and the Alliance would become incapable of functioning properly.
Rather, the way to preserve the Murim Alliance's identity was to treat the Tang Clan as an entirely separate force, just as one would deal with the Black Alliance or the Imperial Court.
The Murim Alliance Leader's decision was unconventional, but on the other hand, it was a perfectly understandable choice.
…What Tang Jincheon said next, however, was truly unexpected.
"I've actually been troubled about something regarding my son-in-law."
"Eh? Did I do something, father-in-law?"
"You're not going to tell me that the alias of being the Unorthodox Sects' number one is nothing, are you, son-in-law?"
"Ah."
Having a son-in-law who was the Unorthodox Sects' number one was indeed a fatal rumor for an Orthodox family.
They might view us as a thorn in their side from both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects.
No matter how much the Tang Clan has become the greatest clan in the world, a burden is still a burden.
"So, with this opportunity, the Tang Clan intends to become a family that bridges both the Orthodox and Unorthodox. That would be better for both So-wol and you."
"…I understand."
If, as Tang Jincheon said, the Tang Clan were to bridge both Orthodox and Unorthodox, and if the Orthodox-Unorthodox Alliance were to be formed soon.
Then Tang So-wol could receive support without hesitation, and I too could freely borrow the power of the Black Alliance.
Well, ordinarily, one would be treated as neither one thing nor the other and be unable to mix with anyone.
But with the Murim Alliance Leader resolved to support Tang So-wol against the Heavenly Demon, and with me being treated as half the next Lord of the Black Alliance as the Unorthodox Sects' number one, I could draw upon the strength of both to my heart's content.
At least for this period of time, Tang Jincheon's judgment was correct. But.
"Father. The Tang Clan has endured all sorts of criticism while remaining an Orthodox Sect. If you're doing this because of me…"
"No. No, So-wol. It's not because of you. It's because the family has grown too large, and because the Heavenly Demon has grown too strong… and because my son-in-law has become a great star of the Unorthodox Sects without me even noticing."
"Hmm. If it's because of young hero Cheon, then there's nothing to be done."
"…?"
"You can't very well send young hero Cheon away, can you."
"…"
Tang Jincheon was dumbfounded by Tang So-wol's sudden change in attitude, but then a wave of sorrow washed over him.
He opened and closed his mouth, then glared at me for no particular reason.
I wasn't really scared anymore. Even Tang Jincheon's poison arts and martial skill were nothing to me now… no, I should stop there.
I'm a man who knows his place.
As I was feeling proud of myself, the Illusion Witch, thinking the conversation had more or less wrapped up, cautiously spoke up.
"Um… to counter the sorcery of the Demonic Cult and the Potala Palace, I think I'll need some proper support too…"
"Huh?"
"Earlier I saw that Jegal-something-or-other had some really precious artifacts for his skill level… If you shared some with me, I could put them to really good use."
"Now, Illusion Witch. Even if the Orthodox-Unorthodox Alliance is about to be formed, it's a bit much for someone from the Unorthodox Sects to so boldly demand the Murim Alliance's belongings, don't you think?"
"Ugh."
As if she found the Murim Alliance Leader's words reasonable, the Illusion Witch stopped arguing and began to sidle closer to me.
Lowering her voice as if sharing a secret, she started rubbing her hands together eagerly.
"Hehe… Lord White Moon Sword Lord. You know I'm already your person, right…?"
"…"
"Mm. Would you consider preparing a little gift for an obedient subordinate…? I'm just so full of motivation right now, I might just produce something incredible."
"Haah."
Seeing her look so pitiful, almost servile, I couldn't help but let out a sigh.
I pressed my palm against my throbbing temples, and it seemed she thought that wasn't enough.
The Illusion Witch wore a strange smile, half gloom and half awkwardness.
No—deciding that still wasn't enough, she raised her trembling arm and poked both of her cheeks with her index fingers.
"P-please… I'm begging you…"
"Have you finally lost your mind, Illusion Witch?"
It was clear that Qi Deviation had seeped all the way into her marrow.
Otherwise, how could she make such a pose and voice without having undergone Rejuvenation like Seomun Hwa-rin?
And even then, it was utterly clumsy.
I could no longer hold back. I spread my hand wide and grabbed the Illusion Witch's head.
"Hrk."
Her hair was so disheveled that it made her head look bigger than it actually was—when I actually gripped it like this, it was rather small. Even with one hand covering her entire head, I still had a little room to spare.
Sensing that something was wrong, the Illusion Witch flinched and tried to pull away, but…
Crack—!
"Kyaaaaah!"
It was already too late.
The Illusion Witch, her head squeezed firmly under my grip, thrashed about for a long while before finally going limp.
Only after confirming there was no reaction did I release my grip, and the Illusion Witch collapsed limply to the floor.
She muttered with unfocused, dead eyes.
"Why…? It worked fine thirty years ago…"
"That's because it was thirty years ago."
"I hate time…"
"No, I'm not even sure it worked thirty years ago. Be honest with me. Didn't you use some kind of sorcery back then?"
"…A little Seophonsul?"
"…"
"Ah, it wouldn't have worked on the White Moon Sword Lord anyway, so I didn't use it!"
"Haah."
I'm going crazy. I truly have no idea what to do with this woman.
Why is it so hard to find a Harmony Realm martial artist who's in their right mind? They all clearly have some degree of madness, big or small.
"Looks like I'm the only sane one after all."
"???"
The Illusion Witch looked like she had plenty to say, but the moment our eyes met, she covered her head and fell silent.
At least she's quick on the uptake.
About ten days later.
For the first time in the martial world, the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects joined hands.
And the first thing the Orthodox-Unorthodox Alliance did was convince the Imperial Court of the Demonic Cult's danger.
"This is taking too long. If you're not going to help, can't you just tell them to shut up and stay out of it? A few swings of a sword ought to do it."
"We've decided to call that sort of thing treason, young hero Cheon."
Ah, right.