Episode 154
Gaeyang Gate of Gaeyang Sect, Guizhou Province.

Thanks to the help of the mysterious swordsman known as the Blue-Red Twin Swords, Gaeyang Sect had barely managed to fend off the Blood Sect’s assault. Yet, the atmosphere within Gaeyang Sect was grim beyond measure.

Over half of the proud hundred-strong Black Five Greats had fallen, turning the sect into little more than a house of mourning.

Fortunately, the sect leader himself had survived, but it seemed an almost insurmountable challenge for Gaeyang Sect to ever regain its former glory.

In contrast, the group from the Sunwoo Clan was faring somewhat better.

Though some warriors had been injured, the key figures—First Young Master Sunwoo Seong, his only daughter Sunwoo Yeonha, and the guests from the Jegal Clan, Jegal Jiyong and Jegal Seoyul—were all alive and well.

But that was only until a letter arrived from Sunwoo Jung.

As Sunwoo Seong read the letter aloud, everyone was struck with utter shock.

With a dazed look, Sunwoo Seong glanced at Sunwoo Yeonha and murmured, “Th-this can’t be real…?”

The letter’s opening revealed that the Sunwoo Clan had also been attacked by the Blood Sect.

That, in itself, was bad news—but they had managed to repel the attackers, which was a relief.

The real problem lay in what came next.

Sunwoo Jung had uncovered the mastermind behind the Blood Sect’s attacks on the Sunwoo Clan: the Woon family.

The entire group was stunned by this revelation.

Then, with a trembling voice, Sunwoo Seong read the even more shocking part, looking directly at Yeonha.

“The Woon family… has already become puppets of the Blood Sect. Their attack on Gaeyang Sect was to stop your marriage—and to kill me?”

All eyes instantly turned to Sunwoo Yeonha.

From the moment the Woon family was mentioned, her face had begun to show signs of distress, but when the reason—to prevent her marriage—was revealed, she turned pale as death.

Sunwoo Seong’s eyes widened in disbelief as he asked, “And… you actually asked the Woon family to stop the marriage? Is that really true?”

Yeonha shook her head frantically, trembling.

“N-no, brother! I would never ask for something like that…!”

But as she shook her head, both she and Sunwoo Seong froze.

They suddenly realized what her words implied.

“So, you did ask them to stop it.”

Sunwoo Seong let out a bitter laugh, then immediately moved to seal her meridians.

Snap!

“!”

Yeonha stared at him in shock, but with her meridians sealed, she could no longer speak.

Sunwoo Seong looked coldly at his sister.

“Father said not to reveal the full situation to Gaeyang Sect and to bring you back as soon as possible. Your fate will be decided by him.”

Tears welled up in Yeonha’s wide, horrified eyes.

But no one present offered her any sympathy.

Sunwoo Seong went over to console the devastated Gaeyang Sect leader and explained that since the Sunwoo Clan had also been attacked, they needed to return quickly.

Meanwhile, Jegal Seoyul cast a complicated glance at the sealed Yeonha and the mourning Gaeyang Sect.

Everything was unfolding far too rapidly.

And somehow, it all seemed connected to someone absent from the scene.

She suddenly recalled the pale-faced, blue-clad stranger who had appeared like a ghost and saved them.

Could he really be Young Master Sunwoo Jin?

It was an absurd thought—no one would believe it.

Sunwoo Jin, known as the disgrace of the Sunwoo Clan, had defeated that formidable demon leader and saved them?

Yet, the more Jegal Seoyul thought about it, the more convinced she became that the stranger was indeed Sunwoo Jin.

His gaze, his build, even that mysterious aura.

She glanced at her uncle, Jegal Jiyong, who was deep in thought beside her.

Maybe she should share her suspicions with him.

“Uncle…”

Before she could speak, Jegal Jiyong addressed her first.

“This is no ordinary matter, Seoyul. We must never let our guard down.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

With a serious look, he began to explain.

“From the start, I believed all this was part of a scheme by Sunwoo Jung, the head of the Sunwoo Clan. Using us to clean house within the clan and solidify the succession for First Young Master Sunwoo Seong.”

Jegal Seoyul nodded thoughtfully—she had heard that much before.

But he continued.

“That’s why I found it strange that they sent Seong and Yeonha to Gaeyang Sect now, while they’re still fighting off other forces. It’s far too risky.”

“I see…”

She understood perfectly. After all, they had just been attacked by Blood Sect warriors claiming to be from the Woon family.

Jegal Jiyong glanced around cautiously before lowering his voice.

“But… looking at everything, I can’t help but wonder if Sunwoo Jung actually intended to eliminate Sunwoo Seong.”

Jegal Seoyul was stunned.

If they removed the obvious heir, who would become the successor of the Sunwoo Clan?

“What?! But if they do that…!”

“Exactly. Then the only one left would be Fourth Young Master Sunwoo Gi. He’s certainly no better than Seong. Even I can’t be sure of this theory yet. But…”

He sighed deeply, then went on.

“I find it remarkable that we survived at all. The Blood Sect’s top demon leaders, including the vampire lord Nojosong, attacked us—and yet we lived. Truly a stroke of luck. And the Sunwoo Clan survived as well, despite facing formidable foes. Can this all be mere coincidence? I can’t say for sure.”

Jegal Seoyul understood what he meant.

Her mind drifted back to the handsome face of Sunwoo Jin.

Could he be the one orchestrating all this?

Jegal Jiyong’s voice softened as he warned her.

“I’m about to report all this to the Jegal Clan. The Blood Sect’s demon leaders brazenly attacking Guizhou’s martial families will surely cause an uproar. And if bringing us here was meant to alert the Martial Alliance to the Blood Sect’s presence… then I truly fear Sunwoo Jung. So you must never let your guard down. There’s no way the clan head would propose a confrontation just to hand over the Sunwoo Clan to us.”

Jegal Seoyul felt as if she’d been struck in the back of the head.

He was right.

Sunwoo Jin—the mastermind behind all this—would never intend for Sunwoo Seong to become the clan’s successor.

He was far too brilliant.

So brilliant, in fact, that even her uncle Jegal Jiyong, known for his sharp mind, hadn’t suspected him until now.

A thought suddenly struck her.

What if the true successor of the Sunwoo Clan isn’t Sunwoo Seong, but Sunwoo Jin himself?

A chill ran down her spine.

That would explain everything.

All these moves to eliminate rival factions within the clan.

Then the one I’m supposed to face in battle…?

It was Sunwoo Jin.

The person who would decide the Jegal Clan’s fate through combat wasn’t Sunwoo Seong—it was Sunwoo Jin.

Her heart began to race.

Just yesterday, Jegal Seoyul had been confident of victory.

She never imagined she could lose to someone like Sunwoo Seong.

Even if the opponent had been Sunwoo Jin, she wouldn’t have worried.

No matter how much he hid his strength, she never thought he’d be a true match.

But today was different.

She recalled the terrifying power of that stranger.

How he had slain a peak-level demon leader equal to her in swordsmanship with a single strike.

How he had single-handedly killed the vampire lord with over ninety years of internal energy.

Jegal Seoyul shook her head involuntarily.

If he really was Sunwoo Jin, the outcome was clear.

She could never win.

And that meant…

Could it be that I’m supposed to become his wife and join the Sunwoo Clan?

The thought made her head spin.

It was a shocking conclusion she had never imagined.

Her uncle Jegal Jiyong suddenly asked with concern, “Seoyul, are you alright? Your face is flushed red all of a sudden. Are you feeling unwell?”

“Huh? Me?”

She touched her cheeks and realized her body was burning hot.

She was flustered.

Her heart was… fluttering.

“N-no, Uncle. I’m fine.”

Jegal Seoyul quickly smiled, trying to reassure him.

Then, she tried to calm the pounding in her chest.

In the end, Jegal Seoyul couldn’t bring himself to mention Sun Woojin to his uncle.

It was for reasons even he couldn’t quite explain.

---

“Third Young Master, did you sleep well?”

“Third Young Master, was your night peaceful?”

The warriors bowed sharply at the waist, greeting him with bright smiles, and he returned their greetings warmly.

“I slept well. It’s a fine morning.”

“Yes, indeed!”

“May your day be peaceful, Third Young Master!”

Seeing the warriors’ eyes sparkle as they eagerly awaited a response, their voices ringing out loudly, he couldn’t help but smile wryly.

That very morning, every warrior he passed would rush over just to greet him like that.

Only a couple of days ago, they barely acknowledged him unless forced to meet his gaze.

All of this change had come after yesterday’s fierce battle with the Yama Blood Sect.

‘It’s not unpleasant, but there’s a bittersweet feeling to it.’

It was natural for warriors to recognize and follow the strong.

Still, the lingering bitterness was unavoidable. Human relationships weren’t always built on strength alone.

Shaking his head to clear the thought, he moved on.

These people were also his responsibility now—just as in his past life.

The place he was heading to was a detached residence on the outskirts of the Sunwoo estate.

A place he hadn’t visited in a very long time…

The feeling of returning there after so long was strangely nostalgic.

It had once been where his mother lived.

Now, someone else was temporarily residing there.

Standing before the door, he called out.

“Are you awake by any chance?”

From inside came a clear, feminine voice.

“Yes! Please come in, Young Master!”

He opened the door and stepped inside, his eyes falling on a somewhat pale but still vibrantly beautiful woman.

“How are you feeling, Senior So?”

She responded with a playful laugh.

“Hohoho, my body’s just so-so, but my heart feels wonderful. Who would’ve thought I’d hear ‘senior’ from a talented righteous sect member like Young Master Sunwoo?”

She smiled warmly.

“To the benefactor who protected our family, what’s the big deal about calling you ‘senior’? If you prefer, I could call you ‘Sojeo’ instead.”

She looked momentarily taken aback, then burst into laughter.

“Oh? Hahaha! Calling a woman over forty ‘Sojeo’? Young Master, you must be teasing this old lady.”

“Not at all. You look about my age, really.”

That wasn’t entirely a lie.

Though not exactly the same age, she looked remarkably young.

Not just her taut skin and appearance, but the mischievous energy she radiated added to that impression.

Late twenties? Early thirties?

Considering she was actually in her forties, it was an impressive youthful glow.

After a long laugh, she finally stopped and asked softly.

“You’ve brightened my mood. You really know how to make a woman feel good, Young Master. Now, if you have questions, feel free to ask. That’s why you came, right?”

He nodded and got straight to the point.

“Could you tell me about the Blood Sect’s forces operating within Guizhou Province? Including the Hao Sect branch.”

This was crucial information for cleansing the Blood Sect from Guizhou.

Though he already had some intel from No Samryong, the exiled Hao Sect branch leader, he figured she, as the former Hao Sect leader, would know more.

Cross-verification was necessary, too.

She sighed and replied.

“What’s the point in hiding now? Most of the Hao Sect followers who didn’t side with the Blood Sect were killed by Gu Yusang. I’ll tell you everything. You probably know about the Yun family already…”

She began listing the Blood Sect’s areas of influence in detail.

His eyes gleamed as he compared her information with what he already knew.

Her intel was definitely more detailed than what No Samryong had provided.

Clenching his fist, he realized that now, finally, they could completely eradicate the Blood Sect’s presence in Guizhou.

Though first, Gu Yusang would have to be dealt with.

“…Of course, all this info is from a few months ago when I was still the Hao Sect leader. Things might have changed since then. Was this helpful?”

He smiled brightly.

“Absolutely, Senior. It’s been a great help.”

Suddenly, she raised both hands in surrender and asked.

“So, what happens to me now? Since you’ve got all the information, will you dispose of me? Kill me? Imprison me? Please, as a favor, don’t hand me over to the Martial Alliance or the Blood Sect.”

Her playful tone made him chuckle.

She was surprisingly cheerful for someone known as the Blood Sect’s infamous Matriarch.

It was hard to believe she was the notorious Nan Hon Witch from the last Great Blood Battle.

Still, her words were fair.

She was indeed a feared Blood Sect Matriarch, and he had to decide her fate.

Suddenly, he said,

“I have one question.”

“Yes, yes, ask away. I’m ready to open my heart completely.”

She was certainly unusual.

The old man Seok Gyeongdal, whom he’d met before, had deliberately crippled himself to avoid the madness that came with Blood Sect martial arts.

But how could Nan Hon Witch So Nanso, who was even more advanced, remain so composed?

How was that possible?

“I’ve heard that mastering Blood Sect martial arts gradually consumes one with madness. Yet, Senior So doesn’t seem affected at all. Could you explain why?”

She sighed softly.

“You’re right, Young Master Sunwoo. Blood Sect martial arts do drive one mad, losing control of emotions and reveling in bloodshed. I was the same until I came here.”

“Here, meaning Guizhou Province?”

“Yes. When I first arrived, I intended to follow the Blood Demon’s orders and take over Guizhou. But then…”

According to her, she had originally been a courtesan from Guizhou.

The first person she met upon returning home was No Samryong, the exiled Hao Sect branch leader and her childhood friend.

Worried about her madness, No Samryong gave her a book, a secret method to calm the mind.

It was a book he himself knew well.

Hearing the title, he was surprised and asked again.

“The Great Lotus Serenity Manual?”

“That’s right. At first, I scoffed at it, but even my old friend Samryong was worried about me harboring murderous intent. So, I tried it, and surprisingly, it helped me reflect on my actions and escape the madness. I know it’s hard for you to believe, but the Great Lotus Serenity Manual really…”

He chuckled dryly.

To hear that name again here was unexpected.

Interrupting her, he asked,

“Was the Great Lotus Serenity Manual bundled with the Cheolnahanhanshimbeop and Nahan Fist techniques?”

Her eyes widened.

“What? How do you know about that, Young Master Sunwoo?”

He couldn’t hold back his smile, his face lighting up.

“I learned them too. So I can fully believe what you’re saying.”

“Really? Is that true?”

Looking into her surprised eyes, he suddenly thought of his swordmaster.

Thanks to the Great Lotus Serenity Manual his master had released to the world, Nan Hon Witch So Nanso regained her sanity and protected his father against the Yama Blood Sect’s Chuk Hotak.

It felt like invisible threads of fate were tightly woven between them.

He felt a surge of gratitude toward his master.

Then, as if recalling something, So Nanso cautiously asked,

“Then, could it be that the martial art you learned is…?”

From her careful gaze, he immediately understood what she was thinking.

She must be recalling how he had been trapped in the Moonlit Sword Dance, tearing Chuk Hotak apart.

That moment still made his back sweat.

He had almost been consumed by the Moonlit Sword Dance himself.

He’d only unleashed the first form, but had slipped into a hallucination, losing control.

If he’d stayed in that state a moment longer, who knew what he might have done to So Nanso.

‘That was truly dangerous.’

What snapped him back was, ironically, his father’s worried shout.

“Jina!” his father had called, and that voice jolted him to awareness.

He thought maybe that was why one should learn swordsmanship in front of their parents.

He smiled wryly and answered So Nanso.

“The martial art I learned isn’t from the Blood Sect. But it does have its own mental dangers, so I also rely on the Great Lotus Serenity Manual.”

“Ah!”

She nodded brightly.

She seemed to feel a kinship in sharing the same method.

And he felt the same.

Now that he knew she had escaped madness through the manual, there was no reason to doubt her.

He asked,

“So, what are your plans now, Senior? Do you have somewhere else to go?”

She looked a bit surprised.

“Really? You’ll just let me go? I…”

She didn’t finish, but he could guess what she meant.

She must have been about to tell me that she was the infamous Nanhon Witch of the Blood Sect, a public enemy in the martial world.

With a gentle smile, she replied,

“If the benefactor who protected the Sunwoo family decides to leave, how could we possibly stop them? But honestly, we would love to have you with us a little longer. If you have nowhere else to go, would you consider joining the Sunwoo family as a guest disciple?”

Her eyes, which had been filled with surprise, gradually shifted to a playful glint.

“Hmm, I do have quite a few places to go, but if you’re asking so earnestly… maybe I’ll give it a try.”

She asked with a teasing smile, and I returned it with a grin just as playful.

“If you would honor us with that, it would be the greatest privilege for the Sunwoo family. We will do everything in our power to support you.”

It was a relief.

If it was her, she could protect my father and the Sunwoo family while I was away on the front lines.

And Nosamryong would keep a tight rein on any information about her.

Everything was perfect.