The aftermath of Jin Noeumu's death had transformed Thunder Palace into something resembling a carnival of confusion rather than a solemn sect headquarters. What should have been a period of mourning had devolved into the most absurd administrative crisis in the palace's three-hundred-year history.
"Wait, so who's going to sign our paychecks now?"
A junior disciple stood in the main courtyard, holding a crumpled salary slip and looking genuinely distressed. Around him, dozens of other disciples clustered in small groups, their conversations creating a cacophony of practical concerns that would have made their deceased sect leader roll in his grave.
"More importantly, who's going to maintain the lightning rod arrays?" called out another disciple from the equipment maintenance division. "Master Jin Noeumu always handled the spiritual energy calibration personally!"
『This is pathetic』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor observed from within Jin Ho's consciousness. 『A sect leader dies and they're worried about their salaries?』
『I kind of admire their priorities, actually』 the Thunder Lightning King admitted. 『Very practical thinking.』
Jin Ho watched the chaos unfold with a mixture of exhaustion and dark amusement. After sixty years of planning his revenge, the actual execution had taken less than an hour. Now he was witnessing the complete collapse of Thunder Palace's administrative structure in real time.
"Attention everyone!"
Blood Flame, the Blood Flame Sect's interim coordinator, stepped onto a stone platform and raised his voice. The disciples gradually quieted down, though their worried expressions remained.
"Regarding your immediate concerns about salaries and sect operations," Blood Flame continued with admirable diplomatic composure, "the Blood Flame Sect will temporarily assume administrative oversight of Thunder Palace during this transition period."
A collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd.
"However," Blood Flame added, his tone becoming more serious, "we've discovered some... irregularities in the sect's financial records that need immediate attention."
The relieved murmurs quickly shifted to worried whispers.
"What kind of irregularities?" asked an older disciple who appeared to be some sort of treasurer.
Blood Flame exchanged a glance with Blood Wolf before answering. "According to the ledgers we've reviewed, Thunder Palace has been operating at a deficit for the past eighteen months. The sect's treasury contains approximately seven gold coins and a collection of decorative rocks that were apparently counted as 'precious gems' in the inventory."
『Seven gold coins?』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor sounded genuinely shocked. 『I've seen beggars with more wealth than that.』
"But Master Jin Noeumu always said we were financially stable!" protested the treasurer.
"Yes, well," Blood Flame replied diplomatically, "it appears Master Jin Noeumu had a rather... creative approach to financial reporting."
Jin Ho stepped forward slightly, drawing the attention of the gathered disciples. Many of them looked at him with expressions ranging from gratitude to uncertainty. After all, he was the one who had eliminated their oppressive leader, but he was also the reason their world had been turned upside down.
"I know this is a difficult time for all of you," Jin Ho said, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "But I want you to know that none of you bear responsibility for Jin Noeumu's crimes. You were following orders, trying to survive under a tyrant's rule."
An unexpected voice spoke up from the back of the crowd. "Young Master Jin Ho?"
The crowd parted to reveal an elderly disciple with graying hair and kind eyes. Jin Ho recognized him immediately – Master Jang, one of the few instructors who had shown him genuine kindness during his childhood at Thunder Palace.
"Master Jang," Jin Ho replied, a genuine smile crossing his face for the first time in hours.
"I... I wanted to thank you," Master Jang said, his voice slightly shaky with emotion. "What you did today... it wasn't just revenge. You freed all of us."
Several other disciples nodded in agreement, and Jin Ho felt something unexpected stirring in his chest. For sixty years, he had focused solely on his hatred for Jin Noeumu. The idea that his actions might have genuinely helped innocent people hadn't really occurred to him.
『Interesting』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor mused. 『You're experiencing something other than vengeance, aren't you?』
『Character development!』 the Thunder Lightning King declared cheerfully. 『I love it when humans grow beyond their base motivations.』
Before Jin Ho could respond to either the demon or Master Jang, Blood Flower approached with a concerned expression and a leather portfolio tucked under her arm.
"Jin Ho," she said quietly, "we've found something you need to see. Jin Noeumu's private correspondence."
The grateful atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly felt heavier as Jin Ho realized that his revenge, which had felt so complete just moments ago, might only be the beginning of something much larger.
"What kind of correspondence?" he asked, though something in Blood Flower's expression told him he probably didn't want to know the answer.
"Letters," Blood Flower replied grimly. "Dozens of them. All bearing the seal of the Shadow Society."
A cold wind swept through the courtyard, and Jin Ho noticed several disciples shifting nervously. The name "Shadow Society" had that effect on people – it was whispered in the same tones typically reserved for discussing plague outbreaks or demonic invasions.
『Oh, this should be interesting』 the Thunder Lightning King commented with obvious anticipation. 『I was wondering when those shadow-manipulating bastards would make their appearance.』
『They've been watching us this entire time, haven't they?』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor said, his mental voice taking on a dangerous edge.
Jin Ho felt his stomach sink as he began to understand the implications. His revenge against Jin Noeumu might not have been the end of his story at all – it might have been exactly what someone else had wanted him to do.
"There's something else," Blood Flower continued, her voice dropping even lower. "According to the timestamps on these letters, someone from the Shadow Society was here as recently as yesterday. And based on the guard reports we've collected..."
She paused dramatically, glancing around to make sure no one else could overhear.
"They might still be here. Watching. Waiting."
As if summoned by her words, a deep, authoritative voice suddenly echoed across the courtyard from the direction of Thunder Palace's main gate.
"We've come to confirm something. May we enter?"
Every head in the courtyard turned toward the source of the voice. Three figures stood at the palace entrance, their faces hidden beneath dark hoods that seemed to absorb light rather than simply blocking it. The one in front held a staff topped with a crystal that pulsed with an unsettling purple glow.
Jin Ho felt both demon gods tense within his consciousness, their playful banter instantly replaced by combat readiness.
『Shadow Society scouts』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor confirmed grimly. 『And they're not here for a social visit.』
The lead figure stepped forward, lowering his hood to reveal a gaunt face with pale eyes that seemed to look through rather than at the people before him.
"My name is Amyeong," he announced, his voice carrying an unnatural resonance that made several disciples take unconscious steps backward. "I come bearing a message from the great Eum Mugeuk. We seek an audience with the one who calls himself Jin Ho."
Jin Ho straightened, his hand instinctively moving toward his sword hilt. Around him, the Blood Flame Sect members shifted into defensive positions, while the Thunder Palace disciples looked confused and frightened.
"I'm Jin Ho," he replied, his voice steady despite the adrenaline now coursing through his veins. "What does the Shadow Society want with me?"
Amyeong's lips curved into what might have been a smile, though it held no warmth whatsoever.
"Oh, we want many things, young Jin Ho. But today, we simply want to... confirm... that our mutual friend Jin Noeumu has indeed met his end. And perhaps discuss certain arrangements that were made on your behalf."
『Arrangements?』 both demon gods thought simultaneously, their mental voices sharp with alarm.
"What arrangements?" Jin Ho demanded, though he was beginning to suspect he really, really didn't want to know the answer.
Amyeong's smile widened slightly, revealing teeth that were just a bit too sharp to be entirely human.
"Why, the arrangements that made your revenge possible, of course. Did you really think you accomplished all of this entirely on your own merit?"