Jin Gumyeong gritted his teeth.

The glaring look was an expression of self-loathing.

He had been wrong.

Tang Cheonyeong.

He was not some brat in his early twenties, and he was certainly not some mediocre warrior from a mediocre clan that could be killed at any time.

He had been waiting, flicking his tongue like a coiled snake.

Even though he knew about them, he had endured and endured, waiting for the decisive opportunity.

And in one fell swoop, he had bitten their necks.

A cunning snake.

"…Sagyo, I see. That name suits you."

At Jin Gumyeong's mumble, the corners of Cheonyeong's eyes twitched minutely.

It was a name he had given him long ago.

And now he called him that again.

Sagyo.

It was a name that brought back all the memories he wanted to forget, a name that made him recall the ill-fated connection with them in the past.

But looking down at Jin Gumyeong, who had lost one leg and one arm, Cheonyeong smiled coldly.

"The situation is the complete opposite of that time, Jin Gumyeong."

"What?"

"When Yongcheon died, I vowed to tear your limbs apart."

"What does that mean?"

"The place where I stayed, the people I spoke with… when they all died, I wanted to hunt you down one by one and kill you in the same way."

A low, mumbling voice.

A gaze imbued with hatred.

Everything exuded a chillingly eerie atmosphere, but Jin Gumyeong couldn't understand a single word Cheonyeong was muttering.

Why was he talking as if he had been bound to them by an ill-fated connection for a long time?

"You bastard, I don't know what you're talking about. But I do know one thing."

As if he had given up, Jin Gumyeong propped himself up with his remaining arm.

He balanced his staggering body and stood on one leg, glaring at Cheonyeong.

"One thing?"

"Yes."

When Cheonyeong asked, Jin Gumyeong nodded.

His expression and tone were not ordinary.

The fighting spirit boiling from his entire body rose like a heat haze, warming the space.

And his two eyes, boiling red like molten iron in a furnace.

True Origin.

He was going to draw out not only his internal energy but also his life force to fight.

The blood flowing from his severed arm and leg stopped, and the immense heat vaporized the blood, making it rise like white steam.

Mutual destruction.

He was going to die together.

By unleashing the final move that contained everything he had.

But even knowing that, Cheonyeong just smirked.

He was a rat.

A cornered rat.

So he was trying to bite the cat.

Everyone says the will of such a rat is great, but that's all.

If a rat bites… it would hurt.

So what?

It just hurts.

The situation doesn't change just because it bit once.

The rat dies.

It's just a final struggle.

One that doesn't help with survival at all.

He couldn't even boast that he was the rat that bit the cat.

Because he would already be dead.

"Yes, you are strong. There is no way for me to live. But I will not just die. I will burn my life to kill you!"

The roar he shouted contained true energy, shaking the pavilion.

The ceiling swayed as if it would collapse, pouring down old dust, and the walls and pillars creaked, about to fall.

Cheonyeong, standing in the center of the fierce energy wave that Jin Gumyeong was spewing, said with a languid and relaxed expression.

"Then go ahead and try."

"You bastard!"

At Cheonyeong's arrogant attitude of even putting his hands behind his back, the corners of Jin Gumyeong's eyes shot up.

He, who had stood up powerfully on one foot, stomped his foot.

Craaash!

The floor caved in, and the pavilion swayed like a reed in a strong wind. The fragments of the broken floor, carried by the internal energy in his foot, shot up as if swept by an explosion.

"Die!"

Jin Gumyeong's hand was quickly pulled back and then slowly extended.

At the movement that seemed to have been pushed with all his might, the sharp fragments that had shot up from all directions were fired at once.

It was rain.

Needles that filled the space without a single gap, sharp daggers each imbued with energy.

Kwaaaaa!

And it rushed towards Cheonyeong.

"You foolish bastard. You still don't know. That the sharpness of a technique is only helpful when fighting an opponent of a similar level."

He raised one hand.

Samyang.

The moment he embraced it in his heart, true energy filled his dantian and simultaneously soared to his strong bow.

And the energy that spread through his four limbs and hundred vessels extended through all the pores of his body, overlapping and overlapping following Cheonyeong's hand to form a huge barrier.

Pagagagak!

Cheonyeong just stood still with his hand extended, and the attack that Jin Gumyeong had unleashed, even scraping together his True Origin True Energy, crashed against the energy barrier that had appeared in the air and crumbled.

When the fierce attack, like a pouring shower, came to an end, Jin Gumyeong spat out black blood.

It was because he had used his True Origin.

His body couldn't withstand it because he had turned even his remaining life force into internal energy.

But even so, far from killing Cheonyeong, Jin Gumyeong, who couldn't even make him move a single step, showed disbelief with his eyes that were losing focus.

"…Pr-Protective Blade Energy?"

"Well, I don't know if this is that. I just decided and did it."

Cheonyeong didn't know what he was using.

Because he had no master.

Because no one had ever defined the techniques he used for him.

"Jin Gumyeong."

"…"

"You said it before. That a second attack is not necessary for someone who uses hidden weapons."

"I did?"

"You were right."

Cheonyeong looked at the bewildered Jin Gumyeong and picked up a Great Despair Scale.

"You don't need many weapons. Just one hidden weapon to kill the opponent. That's enough."

"What does that mean?"

Pfft!

Cheonyeong lightly shook his hand.

He flicked his fingers, and the Great Despair Scale he had clenched shot out at high speed, creating a thin white line.

Thwack!

But unlike that light touch, the one remaining arm of Jin Gumyeong, which the Great Despair Scale had grazed, was severed.

"Kuaaaaaaaak!"

Jin Gumyeong, who had lost both arms, screamed and collapsed to the floor.

Blood splattered in all directions.

Cheonyeong, who was watching indifferently, picked up another Great Despair Scale.

"Hmm, come to think of it… I think I lost both legs that time too."

Pfft! Thwack!

There was no mercy.

Cheonyeong tore off all his limbs as if a child who couldn't feel good or evil was torturing an insect, and Jin Gumyeong, who could no longer even struggle, screamed in pain.

"Hmm, what a waste. Truly a waste."

Suddenly, Cheonyeong smacked his lips and frowned along with him.

He had to kill him.

To complete his revenge.

But didn't he already know there was a backer?

"Well, yeah, I'll need one gift."

It would be a good gift.

For the guy who would soon become the Sect Leader.

Cheonyeong, who was looking down coldly at Jin Gumyeong, pressed several points on his body.

"Keuuu…"

He, who had been in pain, dropped his head as if he had lost consciousness.

"Jin Gumyeong, your death will be postponed for just a little while."

Muttering in a low voice, Cheonyeong grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

Was it because he had no arms or legs?

Or was it because he was already at an age where he had lived out his natural lifespan? He was very light.

Revenge was over.

The ill-fated connection of the past was over, and now it was truly the beginning of a new life.

Because he would no longer have to keep the Jingagu in mind.

Cheonyeong came out, dragging Jin Gumyeong's limp body.

Fwoosh!

The fire that Jin Gumyeong had started by gathering the books had spread, and the blazing pavilion brightly lit up the surroundings.

The appearance of the Jingagu, which had been hidden in the shadows, was clearly revealed.

For the first time in hundreds of years…

The fight was still ongoing.

But the tide had already turned.

Seeing the figures of the Beggars' Sect's blades here and there, it meant the assassins' defensive line had completely collapsed.

The assassins who had lost their leader would be routed.

"Cheonyeong!"

"Lord!"

As if they had been looking for Cheonyeong's whereabouts amidst the ending fight, Baekta, Gwi-su, and Yoo Seongyeon ran towards him as he came out.

Their uninjured appearance made one feel how fierce their fight had been.

"You've worked hard."

"What do you mean, worked hard? You… huh?"

Baekta, who was feeling awkward at Cheonyeong's words, frowned when he saw Jin Gumyeong in his hand.

"A gift."

"A gift?"

"Yes, the Lord of Assassins of the Jingagu."

"Ah…"

"Take him and reveal the backer."

"Backer… you say?"

"Yes."

"What does that mean? The assassins had a backer?"

"The Demonic Cult."

"What?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Baekta's eyes went wide.

It was the same for No Gwanyeong and Yoo Seongyeon.

They were surprised, their mouths agape at the unexpected words.

"As you can see, he burned all the records."

Cheonyeong smiled bitterly and glanced at the burning pavilion, which was spewing black smoke.

"But this man will know everything, since he's the Lord of Assassins."

"Is, is that so? The Demonic Cult?"

Baekta still had a look of bewilderment he couldn't hide.

He had only been thinking of the Jingagu, but a completely unexpected name had popped out.

"You do the details. I don't know the exact details either."

"Huh?"

"With that much, there shouldn't be a problem with you becoming the Sect Leader, right?"

"…"

"No?"

As Cheonyeong tilted his head and looked at him, Baekta's wide-open eyes blinked, and his mouth split into a wide grin.

"Of course! Of course! The Demonic Cult? This is a huge deal!"

"Heh."

Baekta, who was smiling brightly as if he had never been worried, took Jin Gumyeong from Cheonyeong's hand.

"But… he's alive, right?"

"You have to keep him alive."

"Huh?"

"I can't do that for you, can I?"

"Th-that's right."

At Cheonyeong's words, Baekta hurriedly laid Jin Gumyeong down and examined him.

His flustered movements were amusing.

Well, since he had no wrists, he wouldn't be able to check his pulse, so it must be difficult.

"Are you alright?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

At No Gwanyeong's question, Cheonyeong looked him over and let out a dry laugh.

"I think I'm more alright."

At those words, Gwi-su burst out laughing.

To ask if he was alright, Cheonyeong's appearance was too unharmed.

Rather, he himself was covered in more injuries.

"With this, it's over."

"Yes, what about the Senior Brothers?"

"They are fine. It was easy thanks to the Lord stirring up the inside. The successor also played a big role."

No Gwanyeong smiled, looking at Baekta who was busy examining Jin Gumyeong.

"I will take care of the remaining cleanup. You two should rest here."

"Yes. Please do."

"Then."

No Gwanyeong, relieved at Cheonyeong's safety, turned back to the battlefield, which was in the process of being wrapped up, with a vigorous appearance.

But it was at that moment.

Cheonyeong's gaze, which had been smiling and surveying the brightly lit Jingagu with fires here and there, stopped at one place.

The main gate of the Jingagu, whose large door had been completely destroyed.

And a young man slowly walking over.

He, who was walking leisurely with his hands behind his back as if he were on an excursion, met Cheonyeong's eyes and smiled brightly.

As if in greeting…

Cheonyeong's face hardened.

The moment his eyes met his, goosebumps spread all over his body.

It was as if darkness was thickly settling in and approaching.

It was slowly eating away at the place lit by the firelight and rushing in.

"Th-those people?"

The moment No Gwanyeong frowned, Cheonyeong urgently shouted.

"Elder!"

"…"

"St-step back."

"Pardon?"

"Hurry!"

At Cheonyeong's tense shout, No Gwanyeong stepped back.

But his expression was not bright either.

He had felt the same thing as Cheonyeong.

"Myeongseon."

"Hm?"

"Somehow, it seems Jin Gumyeong's life is not the important thing."

"…?"

Baekta, who was examining Jin Gumyeong, turned his head at Cheonyeong's words and his eyes went wide.

"Th-that man?"

At the sticky pressure that was being transmitted, Baekta swallowed hard and looked, and Cheonyeong said with a hardened face.

"…An uninvited guest. A very terrifying one."

(End of Chapter)