A broad-shouldered man dressed in luxurious silk garments anxiously picked at a single frayed thread. Much to his chagrin the thread was not pulled out cleanly and left a sizable hole on his robe.

"Councillor Koo, is there something more important that you would like to share today than our current discussion? I would've thought that the impeding total ruin of our Cult would be the highest priority for today, but this foolish one has been wrong countless times in the past." An old woman sitting at the head of the table smiled graciously at him, but her wide eyes easily betrayed her anger.

The man sheepishly bowed. "My apologies Director Choi, my nerves have gotten the best of me today. There will be no further distractions."

"Members of the 59th Council," Director Choi scanned the room looking each Council member in the eye, speaking softly yet firmly. "We are under an unprecedented amount of pressure that threatens the very democratic system our forefathers have used to bring peace to the Murim World. The Blood Demon has regained sentience."

Gasps echoed in the elaborately decorated cavern where the meeting took place.

One man wearing a mask covering his entire face stood up. "The Council's techniques have proven more than capable of withstraining even 7th Grade Blood Demons, what has changed?"

The old woman nodded sadly. "Many of the Great Masters sacrificed their divine essence to create these techniques. If I were not so weak and useless I might have been able to save us as well, instead of disgracing their legacy today." She stood up and paced around, reminiscing of the time she was but a small child dreaming of entering the Council. "The difference in power between even our greatest Masters and the lowest Blood Demons is like Heaven and Earth - even for the past Great Masters, it was only by binding the Blood Demon candidates that they were able to survive peacefully."

A woman wearing nothing but bandages wrapped around her body smirked. "You mean to say Cult Leader Jae Hoon has broken past the 8th realm? Truly an unprecedented monster. I guess we might as well just offer our heads then. Perhaps us women in the Council can offer our bodies to buy a few miserable days, though I'm not sure he would be too interested in you at this age."

The old woman closed her eyes and chuckled. "Ever so sharp Councillor Kim. You are correct. The Blood Demon has entered the 9th realm and has already slain the guardians protecting his throne."

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"Then we should expect that bastard to come here any second." The woman in bandages sighed.

"Silence," screamed Councillor Koo as he pulled out a greatsword twice the size of his body. "I will not permit disrespect of the Great Blood Demon regardless of the circumstances. After everything he has endured, the least he deserves is our respect. I will have your head should you slander him any more."

Director Choi closed her eyes. "You are not incorrect Councillor Koo, but we must acknowledge that he is now a traitor of the Cult. While we will still show our respect, there is no need for violence amongst ourselves." She gestured towards Councillor Koo to take a seat and begins channeling her inner qi. "After all, first we must prepare to die. As the 49th and final Council, by giving up our lives we can at least temporarily seal the Blood Demon. Our Cult will fall into ruin, but since it is impossible to save it at this moment, we must protect the Murim world at the very least. Perhaps in our final hours we should review a couple of items."

"Review?" A long-haired man with a small pair of shields covering his shoulders raised an eyebrow. "What use will that do?"

"The duty of the Council has never changed, not even as we face death in the face." Director Choi started to coat a wicked looking mace with qi. "Which one of us voted to kill his daughter?"

"Is this a test?" Councillor Kim smirked. "We agreed to bring the answer to that question to the grave."

"We might be able to stall a few extra seconds by offering those members for torture."

The man with the shields raised his eyebrows once more. "We could just disguise a few of the disciples or draw straws. In his fury would he know?"

"Do you seriously think you could lie to the Blood Demon using his full Qi aura and remain confident?" Director Choi glanced at him strangely.

"Why are you even asking such a question - didn't all of us vote for it besides Councillor Jang?" Councillor Koo chewed on his fingernails. "Come to think about it why has she been so quiet today?"

The whole room turned to glance at the shadowy figure leaning against the wall.

"Councillor Jang?" Councillor Koo called again. He strolled over only to discover that her eyes were missing and her flesh was cold as a rock. "She is still," he screamed as he stumbled backwards. "How long has she been dead?"

"At least it seems my guess was correct," Director Choi said. "She was the right person to kill relatively painlessly."

Councillor Koo turned slowly. "What do you mean?"

The room watched in horror as Director Choi's body began to morph into that of a man with bright-red colored hair. Terribly deep scars littered his entire body, and several of his fingers and teeth were missing. "Hello friends, it's been a while. I hope you've missed me!"

Screams erupted out of the cavern as the legendary Blood Cult that united the Murim World for thousands of years came to an end.