“The Blood-Sucking Sword Demon killed Bieunggaek. Why the hell did that bastard Ok Myeon suddenly kill Bieunggaek!”

Jeokmyeon received a detailed report of the situation from the Hao Sect members who had pursued Bieunggaek.

Surprisingly, the report also contained information about Jeokmyeon himself.

Along with it, a list sent by Jang Ik was attached.

Jeokmyeon clicked his tongue as he read down the list.

“They wrote down the list with excitement, not even knowing that this is a death list.”

Next to the names on the list, their achievements were written down without omission.

So much so that they even wrote down how many times they had found traces of Bieunggaek, and there was even a sect member who proudly revealed that he had been the first to discover the fleeing Bieunggaek.

“You foolish bastards… you won’t die a peaceful death.”

Jeokmyeon, who had read the entire report, massaged his temple with one hand.

‘To demand a list, saying he would reward them, instead of getting excited in front of his master’s remains.’

A situation judgment that was frighteningly cold.

Who could be so calm and cold in front of their master’s death?

Perhaps Jin Sohyun had hidden his anger with superhuman patience.

He had decided to sharpen his blade even more instead of swinging it.

And his choice was right.

If he had killed Jang Ik and the pursuers on the spot, he would have vented his anger for the moment, but he would not have been able to reach the real mastermind.

“Ok Myeon, this foolish person… he’s so unlucky. Of all people, to have killed that monster’s master… tsk, tsk!”

Jeokmyeon stared silently at the blank paper placed next to the report.

If he took a brush dipped in ink and wrote that Jin Sohyun was alive and well and that he was targeting the Hao Sect.

Not only the Hao Sect, but also the Heretic Path's Alliance would be in an uproar.

Of course, he, who had rendered a great service, would be able to go beyond being a branch manager of the Hao Sect and become one of the Four Guests who directly served and assisted the sect master.

From that day on, the Four Guests would be called the Five Guests.

After a long deliberation, Jeokmyeon took his eyes off the paper.

“What’s the point of becoming one of the Four Guests. It’s all over when you die.”

Wealth and fame have no meaning in the face of death.

Jeokmyeon decided not to even imagine betraying Jin Sohyun for the time being, just to protect his own life.

“For now… I should do this first.”

Jeokmyeon began to gather information on the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon.

This was for Jin Sohyun, but it was also a task for himself.

Because only by knowing about the two monsters could he decide whose side to take in the final moment.

“Now… let’s see which monster is more monstrous.”

***

A night where the stars shone particularly brightly.

Jin Sohyun, who had returned home over the walls of the Jin Clan estate, walked down the path with heavy steps.

He didn't know because he usually didn't move from his room or the annex, but the Jin Clan estate was of a much larger scale than he thought.

Jin Sohyun, who had been walking slowly around the outskirts of the estate for a full half an hour, finally reached the entrance of the annex.

Just then, Siu, who was coming out of the annex, discovered him.

“Young Master!”

Siu was happy, but she looked around and approached with quick steps.

“Why are you so late! The Madam and the Young Lady were just here.”

“Siu.”

“Yes!”

The smile disappeared from the face of Siu, who was staring up at Jin Sohyun’s face.

Instead, she asked Jin Sohyun with worried eyes.

“Is something… wrong?”

“Please, can you call my masters?”

“Yes! I’ll be right back!”

Siu ran off bravely.

In the meantime, Jin Sohyun, who had entered the annex, silently looked up at the night sky.

Bright stars and the moon were filling the night sky, scattering a brilliant light.

“Sohyun!”

Jin Sohyun’s two masters.

Kang Cheon and Oh Yoran came to the annex faster than he thought.

Behind the two, Siu was running busily, panting.

Perhaps because the stamina she had built up at the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple was helpful, Siu’s breathing was stable even though she had run with all her might.

“You’re later than I thought. I heard about the incident at the Four Daoist Assembly. Thanks to you, it ended without anyone getting hurt.”

“As expected of my disciple.”

Oh Yoran lovingly caressed Jin Sohyun’s cheek with both hands.

But the disciple of the two was a little strange.

Although he was not a talkative person, he was even less of a person who enjoyed silence like this.

The two looked at Jin Sohyun’s face and sensed that something big had happened.

“Is there something wrong?”

At Kang Cheon’s question, a tear trickled down from one of Jin Sohyun’s eyes, who was standing still.

Startled by this, Oh Yoran wiped the tear with her fingertip and asked.

“Sohyun! What’s wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?”

“Here!”

Oh Yoran took the handkerchief that Siu had held out and wiped Jin Sohyun’s continuously flowing tears.

The three continued to wait for Jin Sohyun in silence.

And so, Jin Sohyun, who had been shedding tears in silence, changed his expression.

The two masters, who realized that the look in his eyes had changed, steeled their hearts.

“…Master Bi has been murdered.”

Jin Sohyun’s one word came as a huge shock to the three.

Siu covered her mouth with both hands in astonishment, and Oh Yoran dropped the handkerchief she was holding.

Kang Cheon’s eyes trembled slightly.

“W-wait… that can’t be. Bieunggaek, although he was a sinister person with a cunning heart, his lightness skill was the best in the world. Isn’t that right? Great Master Kang?”

“…”

Kang Cheon was silent.

At that, Oh Yoran continued in a slightly excited tone.

“Even the enraged White Moon Divine Lord couldn't catch Bieunggaek! So who in the world could catch him?”

“Miss Oh.”

“Tell me, Kang Cheon! You’re Bieunggaek’s oldest friend!”

“The fact that Sohyun said Bieunggaek is dead… means that he saw the bastard’s corpse with his own eyes.”

“…!”

Oh Yoran asked slowly in a trembling voice.

“Is that really true… Sohyun?”

Jin Sohyun’s head moved up once and then down once.

“My goodness…”

Only then did Oh Yoran, who had realized what Jin Sohyun’s tears meant, grieve greatly and hugged him.

“How sad you must have been… how painful it must have been… how… how…”

Oh Yoran grieved with Jin Sohyun, recalling the sadness and pain he must have felt, having seen his master’s death in front of his eyes.

She too had lost a precious person in front of her eyes, so she could deeply empathize with Jin Sohyun’s heart.

“Who was it?”

Kang Cheon asked.

No pitch could be felt in his voice.

Instead, anger could be felt in his heartlessness.

“It is the Hao Sect, the Heretic Path's Alliance, and a person called Ma Seongun, who is called the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon.”

At Jin Sohyun’s answer, a powerful energy could be felt from Kang Cheon’s two fists.

At the same time, a ferocious killing intent surged and spewed out.

As if he had returned to the time when he was called the Ten-Armed Blood Ghost.

“And I have a favor to ask of you two masters.”

“Just say the word.”

Oh Yoran nodded her head.

“If they find out that I haven’t lost my martial arts, the Heretic Path's Alliance will once again devise an evil scheme against my family to lure me out. I would like Master Oh to prevent this.”

“Of course… wait a minute! Sohyun, are you thinking of getting revenge?”

“I couldn’t even collect Master Bi’s remains in front of them. I did nothing in front of the people who caused my master’s death.”

At Jin Sohyun’s anger, which was felt for the first time, Oh Yoran and Kang Cheon even felt a strange fear.

“But thanks to that, I know where to start and who to kill. I will take revenge for my master. Please allow me.”

No more tremor could be found in Jin Sohyun’s voice.

The determination and resolve in his two eyes seemed to be something that could not be broken by anything.

The two masters, who had heard their disciple’s resolve, quietly nodded their heads.

“And I also have a favor to ask of Master Kang.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“I would like you to… meet my family with me.”

At the news that Jin Sohyun’s health had greatly improved, Jin Seomok, Yu Seoheung, and Jin Gahyeon gathered in one place.

Jin Seomok and Yu Seoheung were very excited at the thought of seeing their son after a long time.

“Oh! You’re here!”

“Sohyun!”

Yu Seoheung hugged Jin Sohyun, who had come to them looking healthy.

“Older brother! I’m so glad you’re healthy!”

Following that, Jin Gahyeon clung to Jin Sohyun’s bosom like a young puppy.

Jin Sohyun hugged all his family members warmly.

Kang Cheon, who was watching the beautiful meeting of the Jin family, entered with a cough.

“Ahem, ahem!”

“Ah, Great Master Kang has also come. Please come this way!”

Jin Seomok had prepared a small banquet.

He generously brought out Jin Sohyun’s favorite foods and even the fruits he had received as a gift from Yu Dongyeop.

Thanks to that, joyful laughter never ceased in the Jin Clan estate.

When the atmosphere had ripened to some extent.

Kang Cheon emptied his cup and said.

“Actually, I have something to say to Clan Head Jin today.”

“Are you perhaps planning to leave?”

Jin Seomok asked with a regretful face and filled his cup.

Kang Cheon, who had received the cup and drunk again, nodded his head.

“That’s right. However, I plan to leave with Sohyun.”

At Kang Cheon’s one word, the noisy banquet became quiet in an instant.

At this, Jin Seomok asked with a curious expression.

“You’re leaving with Sohyun… what do you mean by that?”

“His external wounds have all healed, but Sohyun’s internal injuries have not yet healed. There won’t be a problem living for a while, but a problem might arise later.”

“That can’t be…”

Yu Seoheung moaned, covering her mouth with one hand.

Tears formed in the eyes of the couple at the fact that their son, who looked perfectly fine, was harboring deep wounds inside.

“To treat this, a special internal pill is needed. That is… the Small Rejuvenation Pill of Shaolin.”

Although it could not be compared to the Great Rejuvenation Pill, which was known as a legendary elixir, the Small Rejuvenation Pill of Shaolin was a very precious elixir that could not be obtained even with money.

“To obtain the Small Rejuvenation Pill, Sohyun and I plan to go to the Shaolin Temple ourselves and ask.”

“If you need money, I will give you as much as you want…”

Kang Cheon shook his head.

“The elixir of Shaolin cannot be bought with money. Only a person recognized by Shaolin can receive the elixir. That’s why Sohyun and I have to go to Shaolin ourselves. So don’t worry too much.”

“If Great Master Kang is with him, I have no worries.”

“Sohyun… are you okay?”

As Yu Seoheung asked worriedly, Jin Sohyun smiled and nodded his head.

“Don’t worry. I’m not sick.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

“When are you planning to depart?”

“The sooner the better, so we plan to depart as soon as the sun rises tomorrow.”

“Aah…”

Although they had reunited after a long time, the Jin couple and Jin Gahyeon were only filled with regret at the thought of parting with their one and only son again.

“Please have a safe trip.”

“Yes.”

After that, Jin Sohyun, who had finished his meal with them, left the Jin Clan estate with Kang Cheon late at night.

“Is it okay to leave like this?”

“I can’t say I’m leaving to fight the Heretic Path's Alliance.”

“That’s true.”

What parent would not stop their child who was trying to fight the Heretic Path's Alliance, the most dangerous existence in the current martial world?

Jin Sohyun finished his farewell to the Jin Clan estate, which was filled with many meanings, and then turned away without any lingering attachment.

“Now, where are you planning to go?”

Since Kang Cheon was already a famous person, Jin Sohyun did not plan to act with him.

However, when all the necessary information was gathered, Kang Cheon was ready to become Jin Sohyun’s sword at any time.

“I plan to get rid of the Hao Sect. For that…”

Jin Sohyun said, feeling the flying swords with his fingertips.

“I plan to weave a spider’s web.”