Chapter 266

Unhwi began to chant the incantation quietly.

Demon Blood Opens the Heavenly Heart to Steel the Spirit.

When demon blood connects to heaven, the mind grows strong.

A Hundred Evils Cannot Invade; the Bloodline Is Strong.

No wickedness may trespass; the bloodline endures.

The Red Demon Grand Duke’s eyes widened in shock.

—The Demon Blood Heavenly Steel Formula...? How do you know that?!

“Must I explain everything to you?”

—...You insolent wretch.

Thud. Boom. Kwoooong!

Three detonations echoed in succession.

They came from Unhwi’s right shoulder, left thigh, and the center of his abdomen—their vital meridians bursting from internal pressure.

“Guhk—!”

His meridians were thick enough to keep him from total collapse, but the shock still made him cough up dark red blood.

It was fine.

He hadn’t fallen.

He continued the chant.

When Demonic Qi Enters, It Becomes Heaven and Earth.

Demonic qi enters the body, becoming one with the world.

Ten Thousand Laws Cannot Invade; Forever Unwounded.

No law can harm; forever unscarred.

When the final line left his lips, something astonishing happened.

Just as it had with Jang Icheong—

the demonic miasma that had invaded Unhwi’s body began pouring out through the wound in his side.

The Red Demon Grand Duke roared.

—Impossible! The Demon Blood Heavenly Steel Formula can’t purify demonic qi—!

“You’ve misunderstood it.”

—...What?

Unhwi’s tone was calm, measured.

“The Demon Blood Heavenly Steel Formula isn’t a method for absorbing demonic energy.

It’s a discipline that purifies it—refines it into one’s own strength.”

—What kind of nonsense is that? I am the Red Demon Grand Duke—the third of the Ten Grand Dukes! Are you claiming that I, of all people, misunderstood its essence?!

“Why shouldn’t that be possible?”

—You...!

“Even one who’s attained Solitary Dominion should know not to overestimate himself, Senior.”

—......

“Solitary Dominion isn’t a perfect state. It’s the approach toward perfection.

The Demon Blood Heavenly Steel Formula indeed creates a Heavenly Demon.

It does accept demonic qi—but its true intent lies in refining that energy into pure, untainted demonic essence.

I don’t know what name your era used for it, but I call it pure demonic qi.”

—Pure... demonic qi? Absurd!

Whether it’s nature’s energy, heaven and earth’s aura, or demonic power itself, purity and demonhood can never coexist!

Unhwi didn’t answer.

Not even for a heartbeat.

His composure didn’t waver.

Time passed—an ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) agonizing, endless stillness.

Unhwi was expelling the miasma outward, while the Red Demon Grand Duke, who was miasma itself, struggled to remain within.

But whatever he did, he was already a step behind.

—N... no...

His final cry echoed as his form reappeared before Unhwi, the same humanoid silhouette as before.

Unhwi had been waiting for that.

Cold radiance burst from every dantian in his body.

One strike.

That was all he needed.

Heaven-Snow Dominion.

Unhwi’s eyes turned pure white.

Everything—every fragment of existence—converged on the Red Demon Grand Duke.

ZZZZZZZZZZT—!!

With a skin-crawling crack, the entire secret realm froze over.

The drifting miasma evaporated into vapor, dispersing in every direction.

The massive black crystal turned translucent white, and the demon-eye stones embedded in the cavern walls glimmered beneath layers of frost.

Amid the mystical silence that followed, Unhwi’s eyes slowly returned to their natural dark-brown hue.

In this sudden winter world, he quietly drew his sword and walked forward.

He passed the frozen figure of the Red Demon Grand Duke and stopped before the crystal.

His grip trembled slightly.

Without a trace of hesitation, he brought the blade down.

Shk—!

With a sharp slicing sound, the huge crystal split cleanly in two.

He turned his head.

The frozen image of the Red Demon Grand Duke was shattering, breaking apart into glittering fragments.

This demonic realm had been harder than expected—and had yielded an unexpected reward.

“Baek Dochun.”

Unhwi repeated the name under his breath.

The vice lord of the Thousand-Year Demon Cult.

The man who had created the Tri-Profound Unification Doctrine.

It was the first time in either life he’d heard that name, and it left a discomfort he couldn’t define.

Even if Baek Dochun had hidden behind the title of vice lord, Unhwi should at least have heard of him.

There was no explanation except deliberate concealment.

Only two people in existence could have hidden such information from Unhwi of the Crimson Heaven, first under heaven and second to none in the original Blood Cult hierarchy.

Yucheong, who sought to resurrect the Demon Cult.

And the Heavenly Seer, the man Unhwi had once revered as a foster father.

He stopped his thoughts there.

Unhwi walked toward the shattered crystal.

Though the surrounding area was completely frozen under his Ice-Snow Qi, one gem still pulsed with demonic energy.

A smaller fragment—about the size of a man’s fist.

Like a condensed version of the massive crystal.

Judging by its density, its shape, and its aura, it was unmistakable.

A Demon Core—

and at least five thousand years old.

“Khuhk.”

Another burst of blood welled up from his throat.

His vision blurred; he barely managed to steady himself.

If he collapsed now, he’d be unconscious for half a day at least.

If he meditated—

One watch.

Not full recovery, but enough to move and fight if needed.

He had to choose.

And the choice had to be his own.

He ignored the molten pain searing through his head and the veins that felt ready to burst.

He slipped the Demon Core into his satchel, then sat cross-legged right there.

Unhwi chose the latter.