The pain felt as if it would never end.
Even though Namgoong Ak (남궁악) had resolved the issue in an instant—
Even though Namgoong Hyeong (남궁형) had not been entirely consumed or eroded by demonic energy—
Even though it had only been a single strand, a single shard of demonic energy—
To Namgoong Hyeong, it felt like an eternal torment.
"Hah… Haa… Haa…"
Cold sweat poured from his entire body as if he had been caught in a storm.
Even now, the Young Lord's (소교주) final scream, heard just as the demonic energy was burned away, echoed like a hallucination in his ears.
So much so that he could not even respond when Namgoong Ak called out to him.
"…Wake up! Get a hold of yourself!"
It was only after the fourth shout that Namgoong Hyeong managed to turn his gaze toward his father.
He immediately examined his dantian again.
Fortunately, the demonic energy had been completely incinerated.
"...Are you alright?"
"I am fine, Father."
Namgoong Hyeong staggered as he stood up.
