The massive doors of Thunder Palace's main hall slowly creaked open with deliberate ceremony, revealing three figures shrouded in dark robes that seemed to absorb light rather than merely block it. They moved with an eerie, synchronized grace that immediately put everyone on edge, their footsteps making no sound despite the stone floor.
The leader stepped forward, lowering his hood to reveal a gaunt face with pale, almost translucent skin and eyes like black voids. When he smiled, it was the kind of expression that made observers instinctively want to take several steps backward.
"So, Jin Noeumu really is dead," the figure said, his voice carrying an otherworldly echo that seemed to come from multiple directions at once. "How... convenient."
Jin Ho stepped forward, the Blood Thunder energy still crackling faintly around his form like a protective aura. The disciples behind him shifted nervously, clearly sensing the malevolent presence that had entered their sanctuary.
"Who are you?" Jin Ho demanded, his voice steady despite the obvious threat. "State your business."
The robed figure's smile widened, revealing teeth that were just slightly too sharp to be entirely human. "How refreshingly direct. We represent certain... interested parties who have been monitoring the situation here with great interest. My name is Amyeong, and I bring greetings from those who dwell in shadow."
『Shadow Society,』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor confirmed grimly from within Jin Ho's consciousness. 『I can smell the darkness clinging to them like a disease.』
『Ha! They reek of shadows and cowardice!』 the Thunder Lightning King added with obvious disdain. 『Perfect practice targets for our new techniques!』
Blood Wolf moved to flank the visitors, his hand resting casually on his weapon hilt. Years of combat experience had taught him to recognize dangerous opponents, and these three definitely qualified.
"Shadow Society scouts," he said coldly. "I should have known they'd show up eventually."
Amyeong chuckled, a sound like autumn leaves rustling in a graveyard. "Oh, we're much more than scouts, I'm afraid. We're here in an official capacity, bearing a formal message from our esteemed master."
"And who might that be?" Jin Ho asked, though something in his gut told him he already knew the answer and wouldn't like it.
"Why, Eum Mugeuk, of course," Amyeong replied with casual indifference, as if he were discussing the weather rather than one of the most feared names in the martial world. "He's been quite interested in your... progress, Jin Ho of the Blood Constitution."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees at the mention of that name. Jin Ho felt both inner demons react with sudden, violent intensity to the revelation.
『That shadow-weaving bastard,』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor snarled with aristocratic fury. 『So he's been watching us all along like some voyeuristic spider.』
『Good! I want to crush him!』 the Thunder Lightning King's bloodlust flared like a bonfire. 『When do we get to fight? Please tell me it's soon!』
"Eum Mugeuk has been watching me?" Jin Ho asked, keeping his voice level despite the tension building inside him like a coiled spring.
"Oh, for quite some time now," Amyeong confirmed with obvious satisfaction. "Your little adventure in the Ice Soul Palace, that dramatic rescue of young Noe Jin Un, and now this most impressive display of the Blood Thunder technique. He's been thoroughly entertained by your performances."
Blood Flower stepped forward, his analytical mind working rapidly to process the implications. "What exactly does he want with Jin Ho?"
Amyeong's two companions remained silent as statues, but their mere presence seemed to fill the room with an oppressive darkness that made breathing difficult. The lead scout continued speaking with that unsettling smile fixed firmly in place.
"Master Eum Mugeuk wishes to extend a personal invitation. He believes it's finally time for a proper meeting between old friends."
"Old friends?" Jin Ho's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I've never met him in my life."
"Ah, but parts of you have," Amyeong said with cryptic amusement, his black gaze seeming to peer directly through Jin Ho's eyes and into his soul. "The fragments remember, even if the vessel pretends ignorance."
This statement caused both inner demons to react with explosive violence.
『How dare he speak of us like we're mere objects!』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor raged with imperial dignity.
『I'll tear his throat out and use it as a bookmark!』 the Thunder Lightning King added with creative malice.
Jin Ho clenched his fists, feeling the Blood Thunder energy respond to his emotional state. "Speak plainly. What does Eum Mugeuk want?"
"A conversation," Amyeong replied with maddening simplicity. "Nothing more, nothing less. Though I suspect you'll find the topics of discussion quite... illuminating."
"And if I refuse?"
Amyeong's smile became predatory. "Oh, I don't think you'll refuse. You see, there are certain revelations about your dear friend Seol Hwa Rin that I believe you'll find most educational."
Jin Ho felt his blood turn to ice. "What about Seol Hwa Rin?"
"She's been working with us from the very beginning," Amyeong revealed with obvious pleasure at Jin Ho's shocked expression. "Your entire adventure at the Ice Soul Palace was carefully orchestrated. Every step, every revelation, every 'coincidental' discovery—all planned."
The Blood Flame Sect members exchanged alarmed glances. This was far worse than they had anticipated.
"That's impossible," Jin Ho said, though doubt was already creeping into his voice.
"Is it?" Amyeong pulled out a rolled scroll from his robes. "This is a copy of the correspondence between Master Eum Mugeuk and the lovely Seol Hwa Rin. Would you like me to read some of the more interesting passages aloud?"
Before Jin Ho could respond, Amyeong unrolled the scroll and began reading in a theatrical voice:
"'The Jin Ho situation proceeds according to plan. He suspects nothing of our arrangement. The naive boy actually believes I'm helping him out of friendship. How deliciously ironic that his quest for truth only brings him closer to our ultimate goal.'"
Jin Ho felt the world spinning around him. The betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound.
"There's more," Amyeong continued with obvious relish. "'His emotional attachment to the dead Noe Jin Un makes him perfectly malleable. We can use that grief to guide him exactly where we need him to go.'"
『That manipulative witch!』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor exploded with fury. 『I'll personally ensure she pays for this deception!』
『Let me at her!』 the Thunder Lightning King demanded. 『I have some new lightning techniques I want to test!』
"Why are you telling me this?" Jin Ho asked through gritted teeth.
"Because Master Eum Mugeuk believes in honesty between partners," Amyeong replied smoothly. "He wants you to understand the full scope of the situation before your meeting."
"Partners?"
"Oh yes. You see, despite the deception, you've proven yourself quite valuable. Your growth rate, your adaptability, your sheer stubborn refusal to die—all very impressive qualities."
Amyeong rolled up the scroll and tucked it away. "Master Eum Mugeuk has a proposition for you. One that could benefit everyone involved."
"I'm listening," Jin Ho said coldly, though his hand remained near his sword.
"Three days," Amyeong announced. "You have three days to settle your affairs here at Thunder Palace. Then you will come to the Shadowlands for a face-to-face meeting with Master Eum Mugeuk."
"And if I refuse?"
Amyeong's smile turned genuinely frightening. "Then we'll be forced to take more... direct action. And I assure you, you won't enjoy our methods of persuasion."
He gestured to his silent companions. "These two are just a small sample of the forces at our disposal. We have dozens more, and they're not nearly as diplomatic as I am."
Blood Wolf tensed, recognizing a threat when he heard one. "Are you threatening us?"
"Merely clarifying the situation," Amyeong replied with false innocence. "Master Eum Mugeuk prefers cooperation, but he's prepared for other contingencies if necessary."
Jin Ho looked around the hall at the Thunder Palace disciples, many of whom had just been freed from one tyrant's rule. The thought of bringing more violence to their doorstep was unbearable.
"Three days," he said finally.
"Excellent!" Amyeong clapped his hands together. "I do so enjoy reasonable people. Oh, and one more thing—about those hidden vaults that Jin Noeumu was so fond of..."
He paused dramatically, clearly enjoying the surprised looks on everyone's faces.
"You might want to explore them before you leave. There are some documents down there that I think you'll find quite relevant to our upcoming conversation."
With that cryptic statement, Amyeong and his companions turned and glided toward the exit with the same eerie synchronization they had displayed upon arrival.
"Three days, Jin Ho," Amyeong called over his shoulder. "Don't keep Master Eum Mugeuk waiting. He has so many fascinating things to show you."
The doors closed behind them with a resounding boom, leaving the hall in stunned silence.
"Well," Blood Flower said after a long moment, "that complicates things considerably."
Jin Ho stood frozen, his mind reeling from the revelations about Seol Hwa Rin's betrayal and the implications of Eum Mugeuk's "invitation."
『Don't let their mind games affect you,』 the Blood Heaven Great Emperor advised sternly. 『Focus on what we can control.』
『Yeah! Let's go smash some things and find those vaults!』 the Thunder Lightning King suggested with typical directness. 『I bet there's good stuff down there!』
"Jin Ho?" Blood Wolf placed a concerned hand on his shoulder. "What do you want to do?"
Jin Ho took a deep breath, centering himself. The betrayal hurt, but he couldn't let it paralyze him. Too many people were depending on him now.
"We're going to find those vaults," he said with renewed determination. "If there are answers to be found, we're going to find them. And then..."
He looked toward the closed doors where the Shadow Society representatives had departed.
"Then we're going to make sure Eum Mugeuk gets exactly what he deserves."