In the borders of the Ganghwan Realm, at Shingang Fortress in the Heavenly Mountain Range.

“I offer my reverence to the great Demon King who has descended upon this land.”

“I offer my reverence to the Demon King!”

In the grand hall, numerous people knelt in unison and shouted until their throats hurt.

To the being seated upon the splendid throne set atop high stairs at one side of the hall.

Hmm.

The newly acknowledged sovereign, Demon King Hans, arrogantly gazed down while resting his chin on an armrest, leaning slightly.

A smirk formed on the cold face of the middle-aged man, and a flicker of cruelty blazed in his glistening eyes.

The vast hall was wide enough to accommodate hundreds of people comfortably, with ceilings so high that measuring their height was meaningless.

The sight of countless throngs bowing in unison, paying homage, was nothing short of spectacular.

Sitting at such a prominent position where the entire space was visible, feeling their emotions radiate a latent fear was…

Really exhilarating.

…and extremely satisfying.

After all, Hans was a collection of negative emotions and a symbol of evil from birth.

Whenever his gaze, gleaming with a strange light, swept over the prostrating individuals, their bodies involuntarily flinched in response.

Despite the strict qualifications to enter this grand hall, known as ‘Sinmajeon,’ the number of attendees gathered for this summon was close to a hundred.

That number had drastically dwindled due to the recent massive purge, but without it, the count would have easily surpassed several hundred.

I’ve pruned enough. There were quite a few stubborn ones that took time, but overcoming that kind of obstacle is nothing when swallowing such an organization. Showing a clear example was indeed the right move.

It goes without saying that in order to absorb a force as considerable as the Heavenly Demon Church completely, the voluntary cooperation of the existing leadership was essential.

However, no matter how much Hans demonstrated his power, it was only natural that no one would easily accept an unprecedented, unidentified entity as their leader.

Thus, what followed was a sequence of persuasion, threats, and examples of executions, employing any means necessary.

Purging those who could become his subordinates while eliminating those deemed irredeemable was the ongoing process.

The result led to the current scene.

“Whatever you wish, my sovereign!”

Indeed, he had managed to subdue and completely swallow the massive force of the Heavenly Demon Church.

As Hans leisurely scanned the prostrating individuals, he slowly opened his mouth.

“So, what of the location of the Celestial Magical Force? Have you ascertained it?”

The one occupying the highest position among those who had gone out, responsible for the external operations of the Heavenly Demon Church’s military, was Yaliuhuan, the Tianji Master.

The answer came from the deputy of the Tongcheong Family, the information organization of the Demon Cult.

…I apologize. It seems that the military, Yaliuhuan, has become aware of the changes occurring at the main base. Communication has been completely cut off with him, and contact with the dispatched extra squads is also dwindling, resulting in difficulty in locating him.

As he lowered his head in shame, the deputy of the current Demon Cult’s intelligence division responded.
Hans fixed a piercing gaze on him.
Could he be harboring other thoughts and trying something tricky?
…Keh, breath… Even the previous Demonic Master wasn’t this much of a coward…

With that penetrating gaze emanating an overwhelming intimidation, the deputy broke out in a cold sweat and closed his eyes tightly.
He certainly had no intent of going against the will of this new sovereign.
He had witnessed how those who merely pretended to submit but had ulterior motives ended up after the previous head of the Tongcheong Family was executed.
I fear not death. But… but that is not the issue!

The end of meaningless resistance wasn’t merely death.
What followed was enduring eternal torment and despair—one could expect no peace in the afterlife.
This merciless tyrant would never let them go, whether alive or dead.
Before him, death could never be an escape.

Hmm, fine. Given that a significant incident recently occurred, I suppose I can understand this much.

Ah! Your grace is unparalleled…

But this is the last time. Stabilize the chaos as soon as possible and restore the sub-networks connected to various regions to resume information gathering. If you bring such disappointing news again—your worth will be reconsidered.

…Understood!

Startled by the chilling ultimatum, the deputy slammed his head to the ground and shouted loudly.
Now was not the time for lamentations.
Falling short of proving his value while alive meant he would be used as a resource post-mortem.
Arguing about the discrepancies in the military’s direct control over the Tongcheong Family would not garner any sympathy from such a tyrant.
If he wished to live, he could only try to make something happen.

…
…

As the two exchanged words, the grand hall remained zuzzlingly silent.
Even though nearly a hundred people were gathered, one could hear a pin drop.

Then, next…

With a stifling tension in the air, Hans’ summons and status assessments continued for some time, followed by his directives.
While the atmosphere had grown considerably tense, this was all part of his plan.
The primary reason he issued this assembly of leaders was to reinforce discipline and warn against any reckless actions.
Now—then finally.

At last, Hans’ gaze shifted toward the remaining individuals.
The ones he had been secretly hoping for were gathered in this direction.
The research team studying various necromantic arts, including Jiangshi and curses.
Where the officials of the Kaehwa Palace resided.

*

The Kaehwa Palace (開化宮), which is the research facility of the Heavenly Demon Church.
It was an organization responsible for learning, analyzing, and improving all mysteries excluding Martial Arts.
While the mainstream mystique of this world was predominantly Martial Arts, research into other schools could not be neglected.
Unlike Martial Arts, which could be directly confronted, the arts practiced in bizarre ways could become fatal if not properly understood.
Among them, the Heavenly Demon Church was notorious for primarily dealing with wicked and evil arts, distinguishing them from Daoism and Xianism.
There were even sayings that while Zhuge Family and Mosan Faction dominate the righteous side, the Heavenly Demon Church and Blood Cult rule the darkness.
Moreover, the Blood Cult was now absorbed into the Heavenly Demon Church. After an underground war, the Blood Cult’s master was slain by the Heavenly Demon…

What a feat the Demon Cult had accomplished during its period of stealth after the bloody incident at the Imperial Palace.
Despite facing resistance from Gonmudo, they had made significant strides. Had he not acted swiftly and dealt with the Heavenly Demon, it wouldn’t have been long before the entire Ganghwan Realm fell into their grip.

Welcome, my sovereign! It’s a great honor for you to visit the cradle of the continent’s highest knowledge, the Kaehwa Palace!
And now, the elderly man who came out to warmly welcome Hans was none other than the former highest elder of the Blood Cult, now the current Kaehwa Palace master.
After the Blood Master’s demise, he was the one who led his followers into the Demon Cult. Moreover, he had the psychopathic trait of personally creating a Jiangshi from the corpse of the past leader and presenting it to the Demon.
For reference, that Jiangshi was currently deployed for external operations and could not be found at the moment.
C’mon, come this way. Your interest in our Kaehwa Palace brings us immeasurable joy! The previous master treated us like a workshop for making Jiangshi…
Thanks to this disposition, he was the first to unfurl the white flag of surrender, declaring his active cooperation when Hans took control of the Heavenly Demon Church.
This undeniably made the absorption of power considerably smoother.
As expected, perhaps since you specialize in sorcery, you can understand us! Ah—still vivid in my mind is that day when the clouds you summoned prevented even the sky from daring to gaze upon the earth, as if the underworld’s Yama had descended upon this world…
Undoubtedly, it wasn’t solely opportunistic tendencies but also the awe experienced towards Hans, who toppled the Demon Cult’s mainstay using nothing but the art of “sorcery,” without employing any Martial Arts.
No one can argue that he was among the greatest sorcerers in this era, having devoted his life to sorcery.
This place specializes in curse research. In truth, curses are often looked down upon as they provide little aid in face-to-face confrontations, and are difficult to break even for masters of the Current Realm, but that’s only half the story. As you know, once someone is cursed…
Yet, the esteemed Kaehwa Palace master had one significant flaw.
He was extremely talkative.
While it appeared he was rambling due to his tension in front of Hans, it was impossible not to feel something off.
Well, as long as he doesn’t cross the line, it’s fine. Moreover, in this minor realm of sorcery, it’s unlikely I’ll find another with such prowess… That said, this place is impressive, yet again.
Thus, as Hans casually let his ears wander while surveying the research facility, he couldn’t help but admire.
Having been here once already while sorting through Jiangshi, seeing the organized research processes brought different impressions this time.
Oh? What is this…
Ah, you possess incredible insight! This area is where we pride ourselves in producing top-grade monster Jiangshi. Currently, we are working on a specimen comparable to dragons known as the Qilin. In contrast to the demon-associated monsters we’ve produced, the process for creating a celestial beast is quite tedious, yet we are using the tainted Yeouiju…
Before him stood a creature that appeared to stand over 3 meters tall.
Though its once multi-colored fur now bore a sheenless and lifeless quality, the innate dignity exuding from its being was nothing to scoff at.
So this is how it is.
Upon witnessing the manufacturing process, Hans clearly caught a glimpse of the secret behind the union of the Demon Cult and Blood Cult’s vision of Jiangshi Sorcery.
Even now, as the Kaehwa Palace master continued to chatter on, valuable elements were being unveiled—
“The Corrupted Wise Ones” and “Forbidden Knowledge,” along with “The Path of Sorcery.” Numerous skills were deconstructing and analyzing the wonders occurring right in front of him.
The surge of knowledge reached Hans, who had consistently maintained an impassive demeanor—now penetrating deeply and delivering great impact.
…Quite magnificent.
I knew you would recognize it! Indeed, if we speak strictly in terms of completion, the black Jiangshi under your command may have been superior. Elevating the abilities held by their bodies beyond what they had in life is the ultimate pursuit of Jiangshi Sorcery, is it not?
Nodding slowly, he absorbed the lively commentary from the side.
Inside his mind, the concepts he had acquired over the years regarding Jiangshi Sorcery merged with his established knowledge to be reshaped and defined into his unique mystique.
This was a pivotal moment.
Over time, Hans had continually broadened his base of knowledge by exposing himself to countless worlds.
Undoubtedly, the contributions mostly came from the knowledge he forcibly acquired through the Buncheon Society.
And now, at this moment.
What had been accumulated had finally surpassed a critical point.
The being’s enlightenment has grown beyond limits. Special skill “Forbidden Knowledge” evolves into “Forbidden Truth.”
This was the moment Hans, rooted in Auterica’s Black Magic, received the authority to access the library of forbidden knowledge encompassing an even broader category.
*
For a while, I should focus on this place.
Having achieved skill evolution, Hans decided to remain in the Kaehwa Palace for the time being.
“Forbidden Truth,” the evolved form of “Forbidden Knowledge,” would grant him access to various types of information he had not encountered before, including Jiangshi Sorcery and its derived branches, alongside methods of improvement.
Now is the best time and place to gather this knowledge.
Of course, right after having entirely consumed a massive power did not allow for a singular focus on research alone.
While he had established his dominion over the entire Heavenly Mountain range, setting up barriers and magical equipment throughout, he still needed to periodically inspect internally to solidify his presence.
Well, that’s a price to pay.
After all, juggling such tasks was trivial for someone of his stature.
Of course, what he currently faced wasn’t a trivial matter.
In Hans’ dedicated research facility settled in Kaehwa Palace.
Two corpses lay side by side on the bed.
In this very place, where the previous master of the Heavenly Demon Church had once dwelled…
Hehehe—ah, indeed. With a control group, everything is becoming much clearer now.
The new sample sent from Earth—the Secretary.
This should allow me to truly commence.
Once a faithful servant of the Buncheon Society, now that they had fallen into Hans’ grasp, that was all but history.
From now on, they would be forged into a dagger that aimed at the god they once worshipped, the “God Slayer.”