Chapter 226

The damage the Jin family suffered from this incident was immense.

First, the docks they had built along the Zhu River, along with the ships moored there, were completely razed to the ground—reduced to ashes along with part of the Jin estate itself. On top of that, four of the seven top masters representing the Jin family, known as the Seven Pillars, had lost their lives.

Looking back over the Jin family’s two-hundred-year history, this was undoubtedly one of the most devastating blows they had ever endured.

Yet, Jin Gongmu, the head of the Jin family, judged that despite the losses, what they had gained from this ordeal outweighed what they had lost.

The reason? His daughter, Jin So-eun, had emerged as the rightful successor to Jayeon Gon—a position she had long since given up on.

Moreover, Jin Gongmu himself had uncovered a clue that might allow him to break through the ultimate barrier in martial arts.

From a future perspective, it could be said that the Jin family, once trapped by its limits, had now gained new possibilities because of this crisis.

Still, despite his rational assessment, Jin Gongmu could not bring himself to feel joy.

No—in fact, he was overwhelmed with sorrow and anger.

All because of his father, Jin Samong, who had taken the Blood Fury Pill.

Cradling his unconscious father in his arms, Jin Gongmu cried out in anguish.

“Father! Father! Councilor Im! Where is Councilor Im? Councilor Im!”

At that moment, Councilor Im, who had been waiting nearby, hurried over in a panic.

“Here, here I am, Master!”

“Come quickly! Hurry, help my father…!”

For a moment, Jin Gongmu’s face brightened when he saw Councilor Im, but then a surge of anger welled up inside him.

He suddenly realized what it meant that Councilor Im had been nearby, caring for his father.

It seemed likely that Councilor Im had brought his father here.

And it was probably he who had provided the Blood Fury Pill to his father and made him take it.

Otherwise, how could his father, who had been confined to the mountains and bedridden, have suddenly gotten his hands on such a pill?

A wave of resentment and fury rose up inside Jin Gongmu’s heart.

If only he hadn’t done that, then Father, Father…

Gritting his teeth to suppress the murderous glare in his eyes, Jin Gongmu squeezed his eyes shut.

Because deep down, he knew all too well.

It had been his stubborn father’s decision.

And Councilor Im probably had no choice in the matter.

But even knowing that, his anger would not subside.

He resented him.

His father, whom he had hated and blamed so much, and only now realized that his resentment was really longing.

And just as he came to that realization, he had to let his father go.

The pain and regret were unbearable.

“Father… Father…”

Tears threatened to spill.

He lifted his head toward the sky.

The star-filled night sky was blurred and hazy.

“Grandmaster!”

Meanwhile, Councilor Im hurried over and checked Jin Samong’s pulse.

But both Councilor Im and Jin Gongmu, who had been looking away, knew the truth.

No one from the Jin family who had taken the Blood Fury Pill ever came back to life.

There was probably no hope left for Jin Samong.

“Father…”

Tears finally streamed down Jin Gongmu’s face as he sensed his father’s final moments approaching.

Suddenly, the words he had spoken to his father earlier in the room flashed through his mind.

“Whether you go out again or not, I don’t care anymore. But! My children will never be allowed to suffer like I did! Never! Absolutely not!”

Those had been his last words before letting his father go.

A sharp pang of regret stabbed at his heart.

He wished he had said he missed him instead of shouting and scolding.

Wished he could have shown him just one smile, even once.

As he wept over these thoughts, Councilor Im suddenly opened his eyes wide and shouted.

“He’s alive! He’s alive!”

Suppressing the surge of anger rising within him, Jin Gongmu said sharply.

“I know he’s still alive!”

But Councilor Im shook his head frantically.

“No, that’s not it! His condition! It’s not bad! No, no! It’s not that it’s not bad—it’s that he can still live! His blood vessels are still healthy!”

“…What…?”

Jin Gongmu was stunned.

He had never expected to hear such words.

His father’s blood vessels were healthy despite taking the Blood Fury Pill?

Councilor Im snapped at him impatiently.

“What are you doing?! Do you think we have all the time in the world?!”

Jin Gongmu was jolted awake by the scolding.

Flustered, he asked, “W-what should I do? What do I need to do?”

“We need to move the Grandmaster immediately! Very carefully! And prepare the elixir!”

“Y-yes! The elixir! Prepare the elixir! No, first—move Father! Move the Grandmaster!”

Thanks to Jin Gongmu and the Jin family warriors, Jin Samong was swiftly and safely transported to the medical chamber.

And Councilor Im, who had been shouting at the usually immobile Jin Gongmu to give his all, ultimately succeeded in saving Jin Samong.

Dropping his hands from Jin Samong’s pulse, Councilor Im collapsed backward, exhausted.

“It’s done. The crisis has passed.”

Jin Gongmu, who had been anxiously watching nearby, suddenly twisted his face.

Tears welled up, a mixture of joy and relief making it impossible to hold them back.

“R-really…?”

With a face contorted by happiness, he grasped Councilor Im’s hand tightly.

“Thank you! Thank you so much, Councilor Im! I will never, ever forget this kindness!”

Hearing his gratitude, Councilor Im smiled warmly.

He felt a deep sense of accomplishment for saving Jin Samong—and already looked forward to the repayment Jin Gongmu would offer.

The Jin family was famous for never forgetting grudges—and equally famous for never forgetting favors.

So much so that among the martial artists of Guangdong Province, there was a saying:

“The Jin family repays both kindness and hatred tenfold.”

And now, the head of the Jin family himself had promised to repay Councilor Im’s kindness.

There was no doubt that Councilor Im’s future would be free of worries.

His path ahead would surely be lined with flowers.

Lying flat on the floor, legs stretched out, Councilor Im took a moment to catch his breath.

Then, as if remembering something, he sat up and asked Jin Gongmu.

“But it’s strange. How is the Grandmaster still so stable? I’ve seen countless Jin family members take the Blood Fury Pill, but I’ve never seen anyone with such stable blood vessels. Usually, the stronger the martial artist, the more damaged their blood vessels become.”

Jin Gongmu frowned slightly.

This was a strange situation even for him.

At that moment, Jin So-eun, who had been quietly watching nearby, spoke up.

“Maybe it’s because he’s not using anger. Grandfather no longer uses the Blood Demon Heart Technique.”

“Hm?”

Jin Gongmu’s expression went blank, as if struck by a sudden realization.

He muttered, “That’s right. Without using anger, even taking the Blood Fury Pill wouldn’t cause such damage.”

His chest swelled with emotion.

He had only recently heard that giving up anger could lead to the ultimate realm.

Now he learned that by giving up anger, one could even survive taking the Blood Fury Pill.

But that wasn’t all.

Most importantly, by letting go of anger, one could challenge the realm of Jayeon Gon that had only existed in dreams.

It was truly a solution that solved three problems at once.

Yes.

Anger.

If only they could let go of that, everything would become possible.

Only now could Jin Gongmu fully rejoice in what the Jin family had gained.

And only now could he look properly at his beloved daughter, who would be the family’s hope going forward.

With a face full of emotion, he looked at Jin So-eun and said,

“So-eun, you’ve worked so hard. Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

Jin So-eun blushed shyly and scratched her head like a boy.

“It’s nothing. I just did as Grandfather told me…”

Then, suddenly, a weak voice echoed.

“Hmph! Now you understand? This is all thanks to me.”

Jin Gongmu and Jin So-eun were startled and turned toward the voice.

It was Jin Samong’s voice.

He had regained consciousness.

“Father!”

“Grandfather!”

They called out loudly and rushed to him, but Jin Samong frowned and said again,

“Quiet, you fools. I survived the Blood Sea Demon and the Blood Fury Pill, and now you want to kill me?”

Tears glistening, Jin Gongmu grasped his father’s arm tightly and asked softly,

“Are you alright, Father?”

Jin Samong scoffed.

“Alright? You say that looking at me like this? If I were alright, why would I be lying here? That’s a question? Tch.”

Jin Gongmu’s tear-filled face twisted slightly.

But Jin Samong wasn’t finished yet.

“And now, you foolish brat, do you finally understand this old man’s insight and deep intentions? What would’ve happened if I hadn’t taken So-eun into the mountains? You didn’t even realize that and just went around saying I ran away. What? You don’t mind going into the mountains alone, but you want to leave So-eun behind? You say you won’t let things get messed up any further? Ha! You’re such a dumb, hopeless fool.”

At that, Jin Gong-mu’s face twisted more and more until it was completely contorted, and unable to hold back his anger, he started firing back just as fiercely.

“Hmph! Insight? What insight are you talking about? You think I didn’t know you only took So-eun because she was the only one willing to follow you into the mountains? It was just luck, nothing more! And why didn’t you just let me take on the Natural Staff challenge from the start? If you had, I would’ve revived it way sooner! None of this would’ve happened! Yet back then, you beat me down and wouldn’t even let me mention the word ‘Natural Staff’!”

“What did you say?! Hmph! That’s ridiculous! You think the Natural Staff is something a fool like you can just challenge and master?!”

“Of course I can! Who do you think So-eun inherited her talent from? It’s all from me!”

“You little—! How can you say she takes after you when she looks just like me?!”

“Did you give birth to So-eun? Or was it me? It’s only natural that a daughter resembles her father!”

“You idiot! Have you never heard of skipping generations?!”

Jin Sa-mong, who had just come out of a near-death state, was already worked up and shouting, and Jin Gong-mu wasn’t backing down either, their voices rising in a heated exchange. Im Wi-won, caught off guard by the father and son’s bickering, tried to intervene.

“Ah, no, um…”

But with the two of them going back and forth nonstop, it was impossible to get a word in.

Then, suddenly, Jin So-eun, who had been watching them blankly, let out a soft chuckle.

“Pfft!”

Jin Sa-mong and Jin Gong-mu both turned to her with puzzled looks.

Smiling at them, Jin So-eun said, “I didn’t really notice when I was younger, but you two really do look a lot alike. You’re practically identical.”

At her words, the two men glanced at each other.

In that moment, they both felt it clearly—the past version of Jin Sa-mong and the future version of Jin Gong-mu standing face to face.

Even the way they looked at each other with annoyed expressions was exactly the same.

“Hmm, ahem.”

“Hmm, hmm.”