Burning, murder, kidnapping, rape.
Recently, in the vicinity of Sichuan Province, the Burning Association has been engaging in radical acts every day, and such criminal behavior has become a common occurrence.
Fanatics who blindly pledge loyalty to their leader have committed numerous sins, forgetting both fear and morality.
Haoran, who has driven the members to madness, lived without hesitation, performing even more extreme misdeeds.
Ever since he was reincarnated in the world of the novel “Return of the Heavenly Lord,” he had always lived like this.
‘This is life.’
Before his reincarnation, he had been a tired soul, worn down by a wicked company, and he was fanatically fond of Xianxia novels.
He couldn’t help it.
Being cheated out of money by the boss, bullied all day by superiors, and subtly ignored by junior colleagues—what a dismal existence.
The only solace that helped him forget the grim reality of having to bear it all for the sake of money was Xianxia novels.
Among all the Xianxia novels he loved to read, the one he particularly favored was “Return of the Heavenly Lord,” because of the villain “Haoran.”
His complete lack of concern for others and a ruthlessness that sees all things as tools for his immortality.
And that dreadful mindset, filled with nothing but pure desire and devoid of any sad backstory.
From the start, Haoran was a particularly dangerous man among those aspiring to be Immortals, differing in mindset from the normal.
Of course, that’s why he was his favorite character.
Thus, when he discovered that he had reincarnated as Haoran, he was so overjoyed that he almost cried.
‘I am… free!’
He would never look up at anyone again. He was determined to become a being who looked down from above.
With that single-minded goal, Haoran monopolized all sorts of fortuitous encounters, martial arts techniques, elixirs, and divine artifacts mentioned in the novel, becoming an Immortal in just a few years.
In the process, he incinerated that annoying protagonist from “Return of the Heavenly Lord” and all supporting characters who sought to target him.
Of course, he used numerous civilians and martial artists as stepping stones to become an Immortal as well.
Wherever he went, bodies piled up, and blood flowed like rivers.
At first, he hesitated a bit, but at some point, he became addicted. To living a life that thought thoroughly of himself.
Thus, even after returning to his original world, he lived as he pleased. Ignoring government interventions, he delighted in pleasures and entertainment as “Haoran.”
Now he was no longer that oppressed company worker.
He had become an Immortal whom countless Chinese trembled at the mere mention of his name— the true ruler of Sichuan Province. That was him.
Thus, he found himself unable to adapt momentarily to the fresh shock of meeting someone after a long time.
“…What’s going on?”
At his question, the trembling old man, sweating profusely, bowed his head.
“Terrorists have taken over Haoran Hotel and are staging a protest.”
Terrorists? In a place ruled by this Haoran?
He couldn’t even imagine such a situation as a joke, causing Haoran to blink in disbelief. Then he frowned.
“What are their demands?”
“They want to meet the leader.”
“That doesn’t sound like the vibe they were giving off.”
“……”
After a moment of silence, the old man glanced around and spoke.
“I’ll relay their words as they are. If you don’t come to fight right away, they’ll assume you’re scared.”
“…This is absurd.”
Whoever they were, they seemed quite confident in their abilities. They were probably Returnees.
People returning from another world, coming back full of confidence after reaching a high level.
Haoran liked those types.
Seeing someone who deludes themselves into thinking they’re the strongest crumble in a devastating defeat is more addictive than any drug.
“Alright, tell them I’ll go in person as they wish.”
With a smile plastered across his face, Haoran rose from his seat.
‘Whoever they are, they’ll make for a perfect public burning event.’
Anyone who dares disturb Haoran’s mood shall not be tolerated. He returns tenfold what he’s dealt.
That had been his motto from the moment he was reincarnated.
*
“Ah, good news! It seems Haoran is finally coming this way!”
I was still live-streaming as Erin of “Wise Erin TV.”
To my surprise, the viewers had surpassed two thousand, an encouraging figure considering I started with zero subscribers.
‘This feels promising.’
I was just broadcasting as an ordinary ‘low-tier iTuber,’ so how did I gather so many viewers?
Especially since the iTube live-streaming system is notoriously lacking compared to those specialized for live broadcasts.
Feeling slightly puzzled, I paused the filming to ask, and Zhang Yao explained casually that it was nothing.
“I told Hwang In-goo to subtly leak information across various internet broadcasting communities.”
“Oh, I see.”
“The members dispatched to the Korean branch are quite skilled at internet activities, so it went smoothly.”
Now that I thought about it, the Burning Association’s Korean branch had taken on the role of badmouthing me online. Naturally, they were skilled cyber warriors.
I nodded and patted Zhang Yao on the shoulder.
“Great job. Well done.”
“It’s nothing, really.”
While he said that, his expression showed that he felt good about the compliment.
“Let’s keep it like this moving forward, shall we?”
“Sure.”
“Then let’s resume filming.”
As soon as I gave the order, I gathered my thoughts and became “Wise Erin” once again.
“I’m back! This is where the real show begins, so please focus!”
Haoran would soon arrive at the hotel. Maximum five minutes, maybe?
Before that, I needed to make a strong impression on the viewers as I had to return to Korea immediately after the battle.
After organizing my thoughts, I stood up from the bed and firmly tapped my staff on the floor.
“Just a moment! Many of you might be wondering why this is happening.”
The Burning Association was not well-known in Korea yet. It could be said that my name became known because of the videos targeting me.
In other words, not many people were aware of the Burning Association’s notorious reputation.
“The leader of the Burning Association, Haoran, is scum. Would you like me to tell you what he has done all this time?”
I began to summarize the evil deeds and mischief committed by Haoran and his followers.
Especially for the grand ‘burning’ acts that lived up to his infamous name, I spent a bit more time detailing, ensuring everyone watching the broadcast would feel animosity.
“Now you all understand, right?”
After finishing the explanation and taking a moment to rest, Zhang Yao silently gave me an ‘OK’ hand sign. It seemed my intentions were being received well.
‘Good.’
Now, people would focus on Haoran’s misdeeds. That was the goal.
This way, the fact that Erin of Wise Erin TV was actually an unjustly slandered Pope became less likely to be discovered. Still, I couldn’t let my guard down.
“If you have any further questions, type ‘Burning Association’ in the search bar. You’ll find everything…”
Just as I was about to guide the viewers who wanted to learn more about the Burning Association, I realized.
“…This might not be the right time.”
I felt someone with a refreshing yet malicious presence quickly approaching the hotel.
Sure enough, it was Haoran.
“The protagonist of today’s event has arrived.”
I halted my speech and increased the power of the ‘Sun Barrier’ surrounding Zhang Yao and me.
Then, I gestured to Liam.
“I’ll be right back.”
Displaying an impressively stoic warrior act, Liam jumped out the window. Zhang Yao calmly positioned the camera to capture the street outside the hotel.
Finally, the highlight of the festival was about to begin.
‘I need to be careful.’
It was Liam’s first time fighting in an urban environment too. While he wasn’t weak enough to be restricted by the battlefield, I was worried he might harm civilians.
Then again, that was precisely why I was there.
“While the Great Warrior is fighting, I’ll stay here to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. Injuries could occur.”
Even though I didn’t have flight magic, I possessed a Sacred Spell for teleportation. Though it consumed a lot of Sacred Power, now was not the time to worry about such things.
I prepared to use my Sacred Power immediately and continued with my commentary.
“Can the Great Warrior win? If you’re curious, please watch until the end!”
Just as I finished speaking, in the main street near the hotel, Liam and Haoran faced each other. They were talking about five meters apart.
Then, Haoran charged in, wrapping his hands in a bluish aura, and the battle began.
In the blink of an eye, they closed the distance with astonishing speed. Yet, Liam was equally fast.
The two men soon clashed, moving so fast they became nearly invisible.
Boom, bang.
Sounds erupted from all over the urban area. Shouts of exertion echoed.
“Everyone, it’s neck-and-neck!”
Surprisingly, it was a close fight.
Even though Liam hadn’t shown his full power yet, just being able to fight at that level was impressive.
And therein lay the problem.
‘He needs to finish this quickly…’
In Sichuan Province, the primary activity area for Haoran, it was almost a magic realm. The government’s Returnee squads hardly respond unless there’s a significant problem.
It was more convenient to ignore the irritating skirmishes with the Burning Association than get involved.
According to Zhang Yao’s testimony, they wouldn’t respond quickly unless there was a massacre in the city.
Still, wasn’t it a bit too helpless for public authority? It seemed the Chinese government was having a hard time due to various malicious Returnees.
Anyway, dragging things out might eventually attract the Returnee squads, so we needed to hurry.
“…What if we end up losing?”
Feeling anxious, Zhang Yao quietly muttered. Instead of explaining Liam’s specs in detail, I just smiled at him.
“Don’t worry too much.”
I had never once doubted that our demigod would lose, nor had I ever put that thought in the ‘if’ category.
It was only natural.
“He will definitely win. He’s the hero.”
Heroes always win in the end.
That was the law of hero tales.
…Still, just in case, I decided to convey a spell to him.
-Start showing some power.
I sent a message mentally to Liam containing the words that would compel him to do his best.
-If you win, I’ll give you five tickets for ‘Eluke’s Body Free Pass.’
It was the ultimate encouragement that only a man could understand.
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