Chapter 227
The two of them cleared their throats awkwardly, their gazes drifting away as if the tension had suddenly cooled.
Then, as if a thought had just struck him, Jin Samong turned to Jin So-eun and asked, “By the way, So-eun, what’s going on with you? Not long ago, you weren’t like this at all. How did you suddenly grow so much?”
Jin So-eun’s face lit up with a bright smile as if recalling something fondly.
“That person! Master In Gongja gave me a miraculous elixir! He said that once I reached the pinnacle, I’d be able to wield the natural art properly! So I took the elixir, and I was able to reach the peak right away! It turns out, as he said, I had already surpassed the peak in terms of realm, but my internal power was lacking, so I couldn’t truly reach the summit!”
At those words, Jin Samong sighed deeply, as if struck on the head.
“Ha! The peak, you say?! So that’s what it was!”
Until now, Jin Samong hadn’t paid much attention to boosting Jin So-eun’s internal power. The words of the previous natural art master, who had said that such a realm wasn’t that important, had been firmly lodged in his mind.
But the difference between a first-rate master and a peak expert wasn’t just about being able to use strong energy.
It was a staggering difference in reflexes, reaction speed, strength, endurance, and even the ability to read an opponent.
So it was only natural that Jin So-eun, having reached the peak, could handle the art more fluidly.
Realizing he had been so fixated on the master’s words that he’d overlooked something crucial, Jin Samong couldn’t help but sigh.
At that moment, Jin Gongmu, who had been listening alongside him, felt something different.
“In Gongja, huh…”
He thought about how much gratitude the Jin family owed that In Gongja.
Not only had he saved the Jin family from the blood-sea demon Yoon Sak, but he had also elevated Jin So-eun’s realm…
Both the present and future of the Jin family were deeply indebted to him.
And the warriors of the Jin family were known to repay both grudges and favors tenfold. Jin Gongmu couldn’t even begin to imagine how he could ever repay such a debt.
He sighed quietly and asked Jin So-eun, “Sigh… Who exactly is this In Gongja? Who is he to possess such martial prowess at such a young age?”
Jin Samong’s expression turned serious as he countered, “You saw the sword he used, the sword technique he employed, and yet you still don’t know who he is?”
Jin Gongmu looked puzzled. “Huh? His sword? His sword technique? No, I’d never seen either before.”
Jin Samong let out a low whistle. “Hmm, so you’ve never seen the White Tiger Sword or the Southern Cross Sword before.”
“White Tiger Sword? Southern Cross Sword?”
Repeating the names, Jin Gongmu suddenly recalled something and gasped in surprise.
“Could it be… Hae-nam?! Is the successor of Hae-nam still alive?!”
Jin Samong nodded gravely.
“Seems likely. Come to think of it, In Gongja said that Yoon Sak of the Blood-Sea Demon was a subordinate of Jin Tae-do. The reason he deliberately sought out Baekgyo Bang must be connected. I suspect he’s on a path of revenge for his father.”
Jin Gongmu echoed softly, “Ah, a path of revenge, I see…”
His eyes gleamed as he added, “Now I understand how I can repay his kindness.”
The Hae-nam faction, one of the Thirty-Six Stars of the World, and Hae-nam’s Swordmaster Jin Tae-do were no easy opponents for the Jin family.
In fact, they were formidable foes that the Jin family could never defeat by sheer strength.
But Jin Gongmu, the head of the Jin family, didn’t hesitate.
If they hadn’t received such a favor from the start, maybe he would think twice—but once a favor was given, a true man of the Jin family would repay it even at the cost of his life.
Just as Jin Gongmu and Jin Samong resolved to help In Parang and Sunwoo Jin on their path of revenge, Jin So-eun suddenly murmured dreamily, her cheeks flushed.
“If I help him on his path of revenge, then I can stay with him from now on, right?”
Her unexpected words made Jin Gongmu and Jin Samong exchange startled glances.
“Uh… what?”
“You want to… stay with him?”
Jin So-eun beamed, her excitement palpable.
“Yes! I want to be with him! When I first saw him standing on that sinking ship, all I felt was awe and mystery. But when he easily defeated four peak masters and saved me, I started to respect him so much! I thought, ‘Wow, there really are masters like that in the world. I have to work harder!’ And also…”
Jin Samong and Jin Gongmu cautiously asked, “…And?”
Though she said it was respect, something about Jin So-eun’s state seemed off.
Her excited voice and dreamy eyes felt too intense to be mere admiration.
Jin So-eun clasped her hands tightly over her chest and continued dreamily.
“And when I talk to him, my face feels hot and my heart races. It’s so strange. I’ve never felt like this before. And honestly, even now, I feel a little like that. I get anxious thinking, ‘What if he doesn’t come back?’ I want to follow him, to see him again…”
The more she spoke, the more Jin Samong and Jin Gongmu’s expressions hardened.
They weren’t the quickest to catch on, but even they could tell this wasn’t just respect.
No matter how they looked at it, this was…
At that moment, Jin So-eun’s eyes sparkled as she asked her grandfather Jin Samong, “Grandfather, did you ever feel this way about the natural art master, great-grandfather? That when respect grows strong, it feels like this? Now I think I understand why you spent your whole life trying to revive the natural art!”
“Ah, well, is that so?”
Jin Samong stammered, caught in an awkward situation.
His son, Jin Gongmu, was shooting him a disapproving look, and here was a grown young woman who couldn’t even distinguish between love and respect.
Neither of them, inexperienced in this kind of conversation, could bring themselves to tell Jin So-eun the truth.
They just exchanged helpless glances as they looked at her dreamy expression.
After dealing with the blood-sea demon Yoon Sak, Sunwoo Jin met with Seol Poong and Jeung Chil and completely razed Baekgyo Bang.
They killed every first-rate warrior they could find inside, regardless of whether they had been pirates or not, believing that anyone above first-rate had to answer for Baekgyo Bang’s atrocities.
They burned down the buildings and ships, collected all the wealth and secret documents, and handed them over to the battlefield.
Jeung Chil muttered in disbelief at how quickly their combined wealth had grown after toppling the Hapsan faction and Baekgyo Bang.
“I never realized being a wandering hero was such an easy way to get rich. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have given up back then—I’d have kept playing the hero.”
Afterward, the two slipped back into Sunwoo Jin’s shadow, while he returned to the Jin family to meet with Jin Gongmu, the head of the clan.
He wanted to ask for cooperation in the plans ahead.
Sunwoo Jin had no intention of revealing all the evidence that Baekgyo Bang was a puppet of Jin Tae-do just yet.
If he did, the man might act recklessly, cornered like a trapped rat.
So he planned to persuade the Jin family head to control the flow of information.
But the conversation took an unexpected turn.
Before Sunwoo Jin could say a word, Jin Gongmu spoke with unwavering resolve.
“Our Jin family will fully support In Gongja. Even if it means the destruction of our entire clan, it doesn’t matter. We vow to stand with In Gongja until the last member of the Jin family remains.”
Sunwoo Jin was taken aback by the fierce declaration.
He asked, “Why do you say that, head of the clan?”
Jin Gongmu replied solemnly, “Though this Jin family may be lacking, I can well imagine that if it weren’t for In Gongja, the two-hundred-year history of the Jin family would have ended with me. It is the Jin family’s tradition to repay both grudges and favors tenfold. This debt can only be repaid by staking the fate of the Jin family itself.”
Sunwoo Jin was quietly moved.
He had heard many rumors about the Jin family’s fiery spirit but had been disappointed when he met the previous clan head, Jin Gye-gun.
But now, Jin Gongmu’s demeanor was exactly what the legends had promised—a clan of passionate men.
Jin Gongmu continued, “Though my insight is limited, I believe In Gongja is a descendant of Hae-nam. And perhaps for that reason, he is on a path of revenge against Hae-nam’s Swordmaster Jin Tae-do. What do you say? Am I right?”
Sunwoo Jin was impressed once again.
Not only had Jin Gongmu deduced so much, but even knowing the opponent was Jin Tae-do, he was willing to stand with him.
Smiling, Sunwoo Jin nodded and asked, “That’s right. Jin Tae-do is my enemy. Moreover, the Hyungsan faction of Honam Province is involved as well. Are you still willing to proceed?”
Jin Gongmu’s expression flickered with surprise.
“Hyungsan faction? They’re involved too?”
That was no small matter.
Even just the Hae-nam faction, rulers of the Southwest Sea, were enough to risk everything over.
And now, the Hyungsan faction, one of the Nine Great Gate factions and rulers of Honam Province, were tangled in this as well.
It was a situation that would intimidate anyone.
But Jin Gongmu remained unshaken.
With steady eyes, he said—
“Master In, you truly bear a heavy burden. Please, allow our Jin family to share that burden with you. We will stand by your side until the very end.”
Sun Woo-jin found himself genuinely moved.
There was no hint of falsehood in those words.
To offer help without hesitation, even when it meant opposing the Haenam and Hyeongsan factions—beyond just comrades on the battlefield—he wondered if such generosity existed anywhere else in the martial world.
With admiration shining in his eyes, Sun Woo-jin replied, “Now I understand why the warriors of the Jin family are called passionate men of valor. I sincerely thank you, Lord Jin, for your kindness.”
Then he added, “But I must say, I would never want the Jin family to be put in danger because of me. If you truly wish to help, please only step in when it’s safe—when there’s no real risk.”
This time, it was Jin Gong-mu who was impressed.
From what he’d heard, Master In’s situation was utterly bleak.
For such a young warrior to stand alone against both the Haenam and Hyeongsan factions—it seemed like trying to break a rock with an egg.
Yet, Master In had refused his help.
And for a reason no one could have imagined.
“He says he doesn’t want the Jin family endangered because of him? In a situation like this, he’s worried about our safety? Hah, what a true hero! A hero unlike any I’ve ever seen!”
Jin Gong-mu couldn’t deny that he was completely captivated by this young warrior.
A pleased smile crossed his face as a certain thought came to mind, and he asked Sun Woo-jin, “Whatever help you need, just say the word, Master In. Now that we’ve decided to sail in the same boat, there’s no need to worry about our safety.”
Then Sun Woo-jin spoke.
The moment Jin Gong-mu heard his words, he could hardly believe his ears.
What he said went far beyond anything Jin Gong-mu had imagined.
“W-what did you just say, Master In?”
Seeing Jin Gong-mu stumble over his words in surprise, Sun Woo-jin smiled faintly.
His plan to shake the balance of power in the South Sea was finally surfacing.