As Qianlin learned the secret behind her clan's destruction, her breath grew heavy. Her heart pounded with disbelief, grief swirling in her eyes. She tried to process everything when the Devil Matriarch let out a cold laugh.
"So now, tell me—who is truly at fault for destroying your clan, hmm?"
Qianlin clenched her fists and shouted, "Why?! Why did the Namgong Clan conspire to destroy my clan? We never troubled each other, even though we had different ideologies!"
The Devil Matriarch's expression sharpened. "It's because of fear... fear of the secret that the Sima Clan hid within this very hidden chamber."
Qianlin's gaze narrowed. "What secret?"
A slow, ominous smile crept across the Devil Matriarch's face. Qianlin's breath hitched as she saw the glint in her eyes. Something clicked in her mind.
"Wait... why are you here? You—the enemy of the world—inside my clan's secret hideout?!"
she demanded.
The Devil Matriarch chuckled darkly. "Finally, the little donkey is using her brain."
Qianlin pouted. "So… it's because of you? Namgong Clan plotted against us because of you?!"
"Not because of me," the Devil Matriarch said coolly, "but because of something that's here."
With a single flick of her hand, she lifted a tile from the stone floor. Instantly, an overwhelming wave of pure, powerful Qi surged from the opening beneath it. Qianlin staggered back slightly, eyes wide with awe.
From the opening, she saw a manual radiating sacred energy. Etched on the cover in ancient ink: Reverse Star Martial Arts.
Qianlin's voice trembled. "What… what is this?"
The Devil Matriarch's expression darkened. "It is the martial art of a woman who could have become my friend… but chose to become my rival instead."
Qianlin's throat tightened. "So… because of this martial arts manual, my clan faced destruction? Who was the owner of this martial arts? Tell me!"
The Devil Matriarch leaned close, her cold breath brushing Qianlin's face. "Are you sure… you want to know the truth behind all of this?"
Qianlin's eyes quivered in fear, but she clenched her jaw and nodded. "Yes."
"The truth you're asking for… it's not just about the Sima Clan. It reveals the hidden darkness of the world."
"Hidden… darkness?" Qianlin whispered.
"Yes. If this truth comes out, it will plunge the entire martial world into chaos."
Qianlin stumbled a step back, her face pale. "Chaos…? This truth holds that much weight?"
The Devil Matriarch's gaze turned somber. "Yes. Because this is my story… the story of the person who created this martial arts… and the truth behind the Great Devil War."
Qianlin steadied herself. Her eyes burned with determination. "Tell me everything. I want to know the past—and the reason why my clan was destroyed."
The Devil Matriarch gave a melancholic smile and nodded. "Very well then. Let me begin…"
Her voice lowered as the chamber darkened slightly.
"It started many years before the Great Devil War. I became the leader of the Great Devil Sect, spreading its influence across Murim. People called me the Devil Matriarch."
Her eyes glowed faintly as she continued.
"Then, one day, a woman appeared. She was tall, with a noble face and upright bearing—a righteous woman through and through. She began to challenge every unorthodox sect, clan, and master… claiming victory after victory. But not only was she a strong martial
artist, her kindness for the people made her revered."
The air seemed to shimmer with the weight of her memory.
"She saved children, rescued men from bandits, and brought justice to the powerless. And then… one day, she came to my sect gate… to challenge me."
Qianlin held her breath.
"I thought a bug had come to be crushed beneath my feet. Arrogance made me accept her challenge. But when I saw her—I realized I had met my only rival. I used my martial arts, and she used hers—Reverse Star Martial Arts."
The chamber echoed with the tension in the air.
"She could analyze her opponent's martial essence and form a counter technique in battle. It was the first time I had such a long and fierce fight. But my martial arts were unique too—I could absorb an opponent's martial essence and grow stronger."
Her voice dropped. "We fought to a stalemate."
"After a while, we agreed to call it a draw. She told me… 'We'll fight again.' And then she left."
The Devil Matriarch's eyes glinted. "That day, I realized the world had something truly interesting. I secluded myself to train. And she—she began challenging the great orthodox sects and clans. Defeating them one by one."
"She became known across Murim as the 'Queen of War.'"
Qianlin listened with wide eyes as the legend unfolded.
"She reached the gates of the undefeated Namgong Clan. At that time, Namgong Chunying's mother was the Sword Empress. She accepted the challenge and used her clan's most revered technique—the Empress Sword Technique."
The Devil Matriarch paused.
"She was sure of her victory… but she was defeated."
A deadly silence filled the room.
"That technique, undefeated for centuries, fell. The Queen of War left, but for the Namgong Clan, it was a nightmare. They were once the tallest mountain… now they saw a greater peak rise."
"Murmurs filled the world. If she started her own clan, she would surpass everyone within a year. The people loved her—called her warm as a father, strict as a mother, kind as Buddha, and powerful as a goddess."
"But while the world cheered, the Namgong Clan remained silent. Then… news spread. The Sword Empress had passed away… in grief over her defeat."
The Devil Matriarch's tone darkened.
"Namgong Chunying took her place. But before becoming Matriarch, she made one request—she wanted to meet with the Queen of War. People thought it was for revenge… but she said she wanted to learn from her."
as queen of war offer namgong chunqing to travel with her. if she want to learn from her
Qianlin frowned. "So she joined her?"
"Yes. But Namgong Chunying was like a snake. Her true intent was to find the Queen of War's weakness… but she found none. So she turned to another plan."
The air trembled as Qianlin's curiosity reached its peak.
"She decided to use the greatest weapon created by the Ten Great Sects and the Five Great Clans."
Qianlin's eyes widened. "What weapon…?"
The Devil Matriarch's lips curled into a grim smile.
"That weapon… is the Murim Alliance."