*Content Warning: This chapter contains mature themes, violence, blood, and morally dark actions. Reader discretion advised.*
***
Well, Void thought, lips curving into a faint smile as he sized up Lilith Draven. I can still use her. She might prove a fine pawn for exposing the Heavenly Demon's weaknesses.
Lilith's eyes gleamed with sudden delight. Her lips parted slowly, curling upward in a smile that didn't reach her eyes, which roamed Void's form with unmistakable hunger. Malice flickered there, sharp and possessive, as she tilted her head and spoke.
"I'll ask you one more time," she purred, voice smooth as poisoned honey. "Who are you?"
Void didn't answer immediately. Instead, his smile widened—warm, deferential, utterly disarming. He bowed his head just enough to signal respect without submission.
"I am nothing more than a newly assigned guard, my lady," he said, tone humble and apologetic. "I didn't know where to train, so I began here by mistake. My apologies."
Lilith's smile deepened, her gaze lingering on his features. His voice… so deep, so resonant, she thought, a flush creeping up her neck. What should I do? Let him go? Or…
Her eyes traced him from head to toe, unabashed, her expression frozen in that predatory grin. She opened her mouth to speak—
A heavy armored guard burst into the courtyard, sword at his side, breath ragged from running. He bowed sharply to Lilith, sweat beading on his brow.
"Madam," he said urgently, "Miss Sabel is calling for you. It seems she's reached the Qi Awakening stage."
Lilith's smile vanished like smoke. Her mood darkened instantly, eyes narrowing to slits. She tilted her head toward the inner door, jaw tightening as she muttered through gritted teeth.
"That damn foolish daughter of mine," she hissed. "I should teach her a real lesson. How dare she summon me for something so trivial? I was this close to learning his shift schedule… and whether he has free time."
Without another word, she swept past Void, slamming the door behind her with enough force to rattle the lanterns. The guard flinched, shoulders hunching in instinctive fear.
Void watched her go, utterly silent, not a single word escaping his lips.
The guard rounded on him then, face twisting with pure rage. Veins bulged in his neck and forehead, sword hand trembling as he gripped the hilt.
"You damn newcomer!" he roared. "Don't you know how to respect your seniors? Do you even realize whose training ground this is?!"
Void met his glare evenly, his face calm, expression shifting to mild curiosity. A faint smile touched his lips, and after a deliberate pause, he spoke.
"Then please enlighten me," he said lightly. "Whose training ground is it? I'm new here, after all."
No deference colored his tone. No acknowledgment of rank. His eyes locked onto the guard's, carrying the barest thread of killing intent—like a blade half-drawn from its sheath.
The guard flinched hard, sweat breaking across his cheeks. His body trembled despite himself, though he couldn't say why. What's happening? he thought, heart pounding. This brat…
Forcing bravado, he straightened, puffing out his chest.
"This is the training ground of Young Master Rowan!" he barked.
Void didn't react outwardly. Internally, a grin formed. So by his tone, Rowan must be Heavenly Demon family too. Noted.
The guard's face reddened further, rage boiling over.
"Who the hell are you grinning at, you motherfu—"
Void's voice cut through like a guillotine, heavy and final, silencing him mid-snarl.
"You're too damn loud, pest," he said coldly. "Why don't you shut up and learn your place? Actually—I know exactly what to do."
A pause. His eyes gleamed.
"From this moment, you're fired. No… I'm going to kill you."
The guard froze, shock warring with fury. His sword half-cleared its sheath as he spat back.
"W-What did you just say, you bastard? Who do you think you are?!"
***
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Heavenly Demon Cult, the lord himself sat in a secluded pavilion overlooking a tranquil mountain stream.
The building suited a murim master perfectly: dark bamboo walls etched with faint sword scars, a wide open veranda framed by crimson pillars carved with demonic motifs. Steam rose from a low stone table where a porcelain teapot rested, its spout trailing fragrant jasmine vapor. Lanterns hung from the eaves, casting warm pools of light that danced on the rippling water below. Cherry blossoms clung stubbornly to nearby branches despite the season, petals occasionally drifting down to join the current.
The Heavenly Demon lifted his delicate cup, sipping slowly as his gaze drifted across the stream. He set it down with a soft clink, then tilted his head slightly toward an ancient oak tree, as though its gnarled branches held secrets only he could read.
"I wonder," he murmured to the night air, voice low and thoughtful, "just what stage Kevin has reached."
His brows furrowed faintly.
"Dao Lord? Venerable? If he keeps improving like that, he might even surpass me someday. Hahahaha!"
He chuckled, genuine amusement warming his demonic features.
"Truly a kind young man. A beautiful soul, at that. But I do wonder… where is he from? How did he grow so strong? Who was his teacher?"
His expression sobered, eyes narrowing.
"And why did I feel that strange sensation during our fight? Like he was holding back. Impossible… yet undeniable."
He rose smoothly, hands clasped behind his back, staring at the tree once more.
"Most shocking of all—no one like him exists in the records. Someone this powerful should be famous, even in whispers. Ridiculous."
A grin returned.
"Or perhaps he hid his light until he was ready to shine. How amusing. What an unimaginable kid. Hahahaha!"
He paused, stroking his chin.
"Now that I think of it, I should announce him as my personal servant publicly. Otherwise, those fools will keep treating him like a newbie."
***