The Demon Realm, in the land of Purgatory.
After an entire night of flight and turbulence, the Inspectorate’s Guardian Corps, mounted on demonic wyverns, finally reached their destination at midnight—
The Infernal Corridor Academy.
This academy could be counted among the most prestigious schools in the Demon Realm. And in this land of Purgatory also stood the infamous Ninefold Prison, a place so terrifying that even demons shuddered at its name.
Once the corps passed through the academy’s outer checkpoint, the skies ahead became a forbidden zone for foreign beasts.
The demonic wyverns circled in the night before landing steadily in a vast clearing.
The demon officers dismounted first, checking their surroundings to ensure there was no danger. Then, at last, a solitary figure descended the wyvern’s steps.
His stride was calm, exuding such noble majesty that it seemed as though the night itself belonged to him.
A great stone road stretched out before him like a bridge, paved with dark-gray bricks, winding forward like a giant serpent. At its end lay the gates of Infernal Corridor Academy.
Above, the stars mingled with the crimson glow unique to Purgatory, painting the darkness with a surreal, dreamlike haze.Led by the officers of the Guardian Corps, they advanced along the stone road. The searing heat of Purgatory weighed heavily in the air, and far in the distance, the academy’s colossal gates slowly swung open, as though passionately welcoming the emissary of the Blood Clan.
The emissary did not bother concealing his distinct aura. Within his scarlet eyes glimmered a power both profound and unfathomable—truth itself, cloaked in mystery. His dark, elegant noble attire was refined yet severe, radiating dignity.
As they drew closer to meeting the school representatives, one of the accompanying demon officers, tasked with assisting the blood emissary, finally dared to ask in a low voice:
“Baron Sánchez… shall we seize the initiative with force?”
Before departure, the Inspectorate had instructed them to prioritize the blood clan’s satisfaction above all else. If the academy stood in the way, it was not to be considered.
Of course, how to act would depend entirely on the emissary’s stance.
“No need,” Baron Sánchez replied casually. “But if I uncover humans here, and the academy tries to dismiss it or deny guilt… you will do whatever must be done.”
“Understood.”
The officer nodded firmly.
Sánchez gave a faint, knowing smile.
The demons might be yielding to the blood clan now. But if the blood clan acted with too much arrogance, it could backfire—giving the demons an excuse to play the victim.
All he needed was to expose the humans hidden within the academy. With evidence undeniable, the demons would be silenced.
And if the academy dared resist after that, it would only dig its own grave. The blood clan had plenty of ways to exploit the incident, pressuring the Demon King for greater concessions.
What gave Sánchez such confidence was simple: no one—neither the Inspectorate, nor the Education Bureau, nor even the academy itself—knew the full extent of his ability to detect humans.
Though he was only fifth-rank, he possessed a unique, innate power:
【True Crimson Eyes of Blood】—an authority that ignored all disguises, seeing directly into the essence of a soul.
Within Sánchez’s perception, neither magical nor physical disguises mattered.
Even if the empire’s surgeries could alter a human to perfectly mimic a demon, the soul could not be changed. Demons and humans were fundamentally different from birth.
Before Sánchez—
Any attempt to deceive him was nothing but folly. Not even the academy’s high command, not even the principal herself, could fool him.
…
Baron Sánchez and his escort proceeded down the stone causeway.
At its end, a delegation from the academy awaited them.
The full faculty leadership stood gathered, solemn and dignified, though their eyes betrayed reluctance. This was formality, little more than surface etiquette. But at least they performed it.
A blood clan emissary might be just one man—but behind him stood a race that ruled the entire southern continent. A race born with terrifying authorities and immortal bodies. Even demons would not lightly make them enemies.
“Honored emissary of the Blood Clan, Baron Sánchez. Welcome to Infernal Corridor Academy.”
The acting principal of the academy, smiling gracefully, greeted him with a polite bow. Behind her stood the vice principal and the rest of the senior faculty.
Sánchez’s crimson pupils shimmered with life as his gaze locked onto the acting principal. His vision pierced her surface, probing at her soul. His scrutiny extended across the gathered faculty, each subjected to his judgment.
It was unlikely that any humans had infiltrated the teaching staff, much less risen to high positions. But caution demanded he confirm it.
Soon, his eyes returned to normal.
The result: no problem.
These academy faculty were true demons.
Though the principal was exceedingly weak—
She was, without doubt, an authentic high demon: noble, mysterious, and genuine.
“Does Baron Sánchez suspect,” the acting principal said softly, brushing back her gray hair with one hand, “that I am but a human in disguise?”
For just a heartbeat, Sánchez faltered.
Her gentle voice alone stirred ripples in his heart. This bright-eyed, silver-tongued demoness seemed the very embodiment of allure and beauty.
Quickly, he suppressed his blood-born power, averting his gaze.
“Not at all. You must surely be a noble-born, a true high demon of renown.”
He bowed slightly.
“My caution is only for duty’s sake. If I have offended, I beg your pardon.”
“…”
The gray-haired demoness said nothing, only smiling faintly. Her eyes shimmered like rippling lake water, her lips curving with sly delight.
She was not Lan Qi.
She was the Great Poet of Love—linked in mind with Lan Qi, who sat within the principal’s office, playing their double act together. She was the one sent to meet the emissary.