Chapter 192

“Looks like you were in the middle of training.”

Ha Cheong-yeon, who had been meditating quietly in the courtyard of her residence, slowly opened her eyes at the sudden voice.

Her quarters had once belonged to the elders of the Jeomchang faction—a spacious, standalone building with a wide courtyard that could be used as a training ground.

She looked up to see Hyeolma standing right before her and spoke.

“As you can see, that’s exactly what I was doing.”

Her expression was blank, her tone calm, but there was something in her eyes that seemed to silently reproach the intrusion during her training.

Hyeolma smiled faintly and spoke again.

“Apologies for the interruption, young lady. I’ve come bearing news I thought you’d be pleased to hear.”

At his words, Ha Cheong-yeon’s eyes brightened with interest.

“Good news?”

Good news for her? That was strange.

If it was good news for her, it would surely be bad news for the Blood Sect.

As if reading her thoughts, Hyeolma gave a bitter smile and continued.

“From our perspective, it’s nothing short of catastrophic. You might not know this, but the place where we first took you was Aenoe Mountain.”

“Aenoe Mountain?”

“Yes. The place where the Muhwang Chong was located. It’s also where the facilities for producing the demons were.”

Hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Ha Cheong-yeon’s usually expressionless face.

The place believed to have been destroyed during the Muhwang Chong massacre was actually a demon production facility. Even though she was captive, this was a secret far too great to be revealed to outsiders.

She suddenly asked, “Why are you telling me this?”

Hyeolma chuckled dryly. “It no longer matters. That place has truly been destroyed.”

Those words were staggering.

Ha Cheong-yeon’s eyes widened in shock.

“The demon production facility… has been destroyed?”

“That’s right. According to survivors, two children named Seol Poong and Seon Woo-jin led a group there. It seems they came to rescue you.”

Her gaze trembled at the mention of a name she never expected to hear again.

Seon Woo-jin… he came to save her?

He had braved the demon-infested jungle all the way to the Blood Sect’s stronghold at Aenoe Mountain?

Ha Cheong-yeon fought to keep her emotions in check before Hyeolma, but her body trembled uncontrollably.

‘He… he came for me.’

The thought that Seon Woo-jin risked his life to save her nearly brought tears to her eyes.

Noticing her expression, Hyeolma smiled knowingly and continued.

“They were remarkable children. They broke through a fortress guarded by two Black Blood Demon Lords, five supreme masters, and over seventy elite fighters, and ultimately brought it down. I thought only your father was extraordinary, but it seems your companions are formidable as well.”

Ha Cheong-yeon’s voice quivered as she asked, “W-what about them now?”

Hyeolma shook his head slightly. “They made it out of Aenoe Mountain safely, that much is certain. Beyond that, I don’t know. I’ve already sent the Nine Sound Demons to find out more. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

Relieved, Ha Cheong-yeon nodded silently.

She understood Hyeolma’s intention in sharing this news—it was meant to rekindle her will to live.

The stronger she became, the better she would serve as a vessel for the Reversal Blood Demon.

No matter his motives, she was determined to do her best.

Hyeolma turned to leave, but paused to ask, “If you need anything or feel unwell, don’t hesitate to say so.”

Ha Cheong-yeon suddenly spoke up, “Is it possible for me to learn the Blood Sect’s martial arts?”

Hyeolma’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. “What did you say?”

“I want to learn the Blood Sect’s techniques. After all, wouldn’t it be better for your plan if I mastered them?”

Hyeolma studied her with a complex look.

She was right.

If she learned the Blood Sect’s martial arts, it would only benefit him.

Not just for using her as a vessel later, but if she succumbed to the madness of their techniques, she’d be easier to control.

Still, he couldn’t guess why she was making such a request.

“May I ask why?”

Ha Cheong-yeon answered casually, “My family’s Seongra Sword Style requires many insights to reach higher levels. It takes a long time, and it doesn’t suit my nature well. I’m better suited to learning a variety of martial arts rather than focusing deeply on just one. It’s a faster way to develop.”

Her words were true.

For someone as talented as her, exploring many paths rather than digging deep into one would accelerate her growth.

Hyeolma smiled and nodded. “I see. I’ll send you the Blood Sect’s greatest secret manuals soon. Oh, and if you need to break through your limits and increase your internal energy, feel free to absorb any passerby you catch. As you probably know, we don’t have many elixirs, but I’ll provide plenty of poisons.”

“Understood.”

What Hyeolma had just said was a cruel instruction: to learn the Blood Sect’s absorption technique and sacrifice any of his subordinates to build her internal energy.

He vanished with a satisfied smile.

This visit had clearly yielded more than he expected.

Left alone in the courtyard, Ha Cheong-yeon finally collapsed onto the ground.

Tears she had been holding back streamed down her face.

“Jin… you…”

She was overwhelmed with emotion.

It felt like a single ray of light shining through this hellish existence.

Her fighting spirit ignited.

Though she had never intended to obey Hyeolma’s will blindly, now she had the will to fight with all her might.

She finally understood exactly where she had gone wrong in the past.

Back then, she had been too self-centered to ever show Seon Woo-jin her true feelings.

‘At first, I was arrogant. Later, selfish.’

In the beginning, when she started to care for him, she believed that if she ever revealed her true self, he would love her—and so she watched him with mere curiosity.

When she realized he wasn’t that kind of person, she left his side first.

Because it hurt her pride to be hurt and shaken by her own feelings.

But that was a mistake.

She should have approached him sincerely.

She should have tried to understand him first, not think only of herself.

Clenching her teeth, Ha Cheong-yeon vowed, ‘I won’t make the same mistake again.’

If he risked his life to save her, she had to respond in kind.

Seon Woo-jin hadn’t given up on her; she couldn’t give up on herself.

No matter what, she had to raise her level and return.

To the one she longed for—Seon Woo-jin.

A fierce flame blazed in Ha Cheong-yeon’s eyes.

---

“Phew…”

Dang Yeo-eun, training swordsmanship with the White Crane Elder Yang Moon-heon, suddenly sighed without realizing it and then quickly apologized.

“Ah, Grandfather, I’m sorry. I did it again…”

Yang Moon-heon smiled gently. “It’s alright. But with that kind of mindset, you won’t be able to continue your training.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Lately, Dang Yeo-eun had been sighing habitually without meaning to.

Her worry was for Seon Woo-jin.

As a frontline soldier herself, she knew it was wiser to focus on training than waste time on useless worries.

But no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t focus on anything else.

“Phew…”

It had already been a week since Seon Woo-jin entered the jungle.

Naturally, no news had come since, and her heart burned with anxiety day by day.

‘Jin…’

The memory of the moment they confirmed their feelings and kissed played over and over in her mind.

She was tormented by the fear that it might have been their last moment together.

She regretted it deeply.

That she hadn’t looked at him more.

That she hadn’t expressed her feelings more.

Though the regrets were useless, she couldn’t shake them off.

Then, suddenly, she shook her head hard and let out a deep breath.

“Phew!”

This sigh was not one of weakness.

It was a deep breath to clear her mind.

She couldn’t remain trapped in the past forever.

And if that moment truly was their last, then his revenge would be her responsibility.

To do that, she had to become stronger.

Not just in martial arts, but in spirit as well.

Raising her sword again, Dang Yeo-eun focused her mind.

‘Do what you can now, Dang Yeo-eun. That’s the true way to protect him.’

She activated the Moonlight Phantom Sword Dance.

Moonlight Phantom Sword Dance, First Form: Flying Blade.

Whoosh!

A dreamlike veil suddenly enveloped her vision.

The highest level she could safely perform was Flying Blade.

She had tried the Second Form, Crescent Moon, before, but had quickly abandoned it, feeling it was beyond her control.

But at this very moment, Dang Yeoeun bit her lip until it bled and activated the second stage of the Moonlit Sword Dance.

Moonlit Sword Dance, Stage Two.

Phantom Moon.

Fwoooosh!

Suddenly, her senses expanded, drawing everything around her into her awareness.

She felt omnipotent, as if she could do anything, know everything.

It was as if her mind was floating free, intoxicated by a dizzying sense of having the whole world at her fingertips.

She felt like she might lose all reason in this haze.

But Dang Yeoeun bit down even harder on her lip.

Blood trickled down from the cracked skin, and the sharp pain grounded her.

“I can do this. I can endure. No, I have to endure!”

Then, something caught her heightened senses.

Ssssh!

From behind, something was hurtling toward her at an incredible speed, targeting her.

Even though she had slowed time with Phantom Moon, the object was still charging fast enough.

Without hesitation, Dang Yeoeun leapt to the side to dodge, immediately preparing to counterattack.

Crack!

Her body moved instinctively to avoid the incoming object, and she turned her head to look.

For a moment, her breath caught in shock.

“!”

What had come flying at her wasn’t an object at all.

It was a person.

And not just anyone — someone she knew well.

The face of Seon Woojin, the very person she hadn’t forgotten for a single moment over the past week, was smiling warmly at her.

He spoke.

“Yeoeun, you’ve really improved.”

Tears suddenly welled up in Dang Yeoeun’s eyes.

Without thinking, she called out his name.

“Jin!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, she threw herself into his arms.

Crash!

She clung tightly to him, tears streaming down her face.

“You’re back! You really came back! Thank you! Thank you so much, Jin!”

Seon Woojin embraced her firmly, smiling gently.

“Why are you thanking me? I’m the one who should be grateful to you for welcoming me like this.”

At that moment, Byeok Rijung, the Jeun Swordmaster watching them, cleared his throat.

“Hmph, hmph. Kids these days have no shame, it seems, brother.”

At his words, Yang Moonheon, the White Crane Elder, chuckled warmly.

“Why make a fuss? It’s a good sight to see. Are you perhaps jealous, younger brother?”

Startled by their voices, Seon Woojin and Dang Yeoeun snapped back to reality and quickly separated.

Seon Woojin awkwardly greeted Yang Moonheon and Byeok Rijung.

“I should have greeted you both first. I apologize.”

Yang Moonheon nodded with his usual warm smile.

“It’s only natural that Yeoeun sees you first. It’s good to see you care for my granddaughter. So, were you able to resolve what you went for?”

Seon Woojin bowed deeply in response.

“Thanks to your concern, I was able to accomplish about seventy percent of my mission. I haven’t rescued one comrade yet, though… I have something to discuss with Elder No regarding that. Could I have a moment of your time?”

“You want to speak with me?”

“Yes, it would be best if both of you could come.”

At Seon Woojin’s request, Yang Moonheon and Byeok Rijung exchanged curious glances before nodding.

“Very well, let’s do that.”

Seon Woojin led Yang Moonheon, Byeok Rijung, and Dang Yeoeun away from prying eyes to the quarters of the Seventh Division.

There, many others had already gathered.

The expedition members—Jeungchil, Seolpung, Bisa Young, and Ya Unhyang—were present, along with Naseoyu and Sakmuhun, who had been rescued from Muhwangchong, and Bae Jonggwan, Cheon Jueun, and Ma Maengun, who had been staying at the Thirteenth Division.

They had already shared emotional reunions with Naseoyu and Sakmuhun.

Now, all eyes were fixed on Seon Woojin.

With everyone’s attention, Seon Woojin finally spoke.

“The reason I gathered you all without informing others of my return is to share some critical information I uncovered during this expedition.”

After obtaining the secret manual of Muhwang from Muhwangchong, and through the help of the captured Dudang, Seon Woojin had learned many answers to long-standing questions.

What he heard shocked him deeply.

If the information from Dudang was true, they had never truly understood the identity of their enemy.

“The most important thing I learned there concerns the secret behind the Battle of Jeonghyeol.”

“The secret behind the Battle of Jeonghyeol?”

Those unfamiliar with the details looked at him with puzzled expressions, except for the expedition members who already knew.

The Battle of Jeonghyeol was the great war that erupted when the Blood Demons seized Muhwangchong and wiped out the elite of the Jeomchang faction, taking control of Jeomchang Mountain and the entire Yunnan Province.

To stop the rising power of the Blood Sect, the best warriors of the Martial Alliance had launched an expedition to Yunnan—a battle considered the most significant in recent decades.

Despite the participation of the Martial Alliance’s elite, along with factions from Sichuan Province—the Sacheong Sect, Amipa, and part of the Cheongseong Sect—they suffered heavy losses.

The previous Martial Alliance leader, the heroic Cheon Gigang of the Shaolin clan, had died in a one-on-one duel with the Blood Demon, and none of Amipa’s elite returned alive.

Seon Woojin began recounting what everyone already knew about the Battle of Jeonghyeol.

“At that crisis, Moyong Geom, head of the Moyong family and the second-in-command of the Martial Alliance, took over leadership after Cheon Gigang’s death and barely managed to repel the Blood Demons. For this, he was later appointed as the Martial Alliance leader.”

Bae Jonggwan nodded in agreement.

“That’s right! He even inherited the title of ‘Hero King’ because of that.”

Cheon Jueun added.

“But it was strange. Even though they repelled the Blood Demons, they never fully crushed the Blood Sect’s power. Eventually, they recognized Yunnan as their territory and signed a non-aggression pact. That was all Moyong Geom’s doing. Calling him ‘Hero King’ seems a bit much.”

What they described was the commonly known history of the Battle of Jeonghyeol.

But now, Seon Woojin was revealing a hidden truth.

He finally spoke.

“Hero King Cheon Gigang did not die in a one-on-one fight with the Blood Demon. He was killed by a joint attack from the Blood Demon and Moyong Geom, who was present as an observer during the duel.”

The room fell silent.

The shock was too great; no one could immediately respond.

Before anyone could speak, Seon Woojin continued.