Episode 356

After a long time away from the mountains, Lee Geon—the fifth disciple of Cheonggwang Jin-in of the Cheongseong Gwaeseon sect—descended and immediately sensed a familiar aura waiting for him. He smiled brightly and greeted warmly.

“Senior Brother! It’s been a while! How have you been all this time?!”

Hwa Yeong-bin, a disciple of the Cheongseong faction and sworn brother to Sunwoo Jin, who had long dedicated himself to eradicating the Blood Cult in Sichuan Province, returned the smile with a gentle one of his own.

“It’s been a while, my disciple. You seem even stronger now. Honestly, this old senior brother can hardly guess the extent of your progress.”

The blind genius pair had parted ways with Sunwoo Jin’s group some time ago, after which Lee Geon had secluded himself in the mountains, focusing solely on his training.

Though it had only been about a year, the change was astonishing.

“Transcendent? No, even beyond that? Truly remarkable.”

Hwa Yeong-bin, who had yet to break through the Transcendent barrier himself, couldn’t help but marvel at his disciple’s astonishing growth—especially since Lee Geon had once been considered his junior.

Such rapid advancement in such a short time seemed almost impossible.

But then, a certain face came to mind, and everything made sense.

“Of course, there are others even more formidable…”

Recalling the incredible progress of Sunwoo Jin—the very disciple he had hoped would be a worthy rival to Lee Geon—Hwa Yeong-bin let out a bitter smile.

He wasn’t that old yet, but the waves behind the Yangtze River were growing fiercer than he had anticipated.

At that moment, Lee Geon suddenly asked, “By the way, is something wrong? I was surprised when my master suddenly ordered me to end my seclusion and come down from the mountain.”

Originally, Cheonggwang Jin-in had strictly instructed him not to leave the mountains until he had uncovered the key to the Divine Sword Scripture.

Yet now, that same master had urgently sent word for him to break his retreat and descend.

Naturally, Lee Geon was puzzled.

Sensing his confusion, Hwa Yeong-bin gave a wry smile and replied, “There’s so much going on, I hardly know where to begin. What do you know so far?”

“Hmm, about two months ago, I heard that Jeon Mu-gwang of the Blood Cult tried to overturn the martial world by forcibly marrying the Heavenly Sword Saintess Hae Cheong-yeon, the Alliance King Moyong Geom, and the Martial Alliance’s General Jegal Ji-gang—but he failed and died. I also heard that Jin played a huge role in that. Could it be related to that?”

What Lee Geon mentioned was exactly what had been publicly known.

No one outside knew about the existence of the Reversed Blood Demon, and Moyong Geom and Jegal Ji-gang were thought to have been merely coerced into submission by Jeon Mu-gwang’s schemes.

Hwa Yeong-bin nodded in agreement.

“That’s roughly it. There are many hidden details, but we can go over those later. For now, let’s talk as we move.”

With that, Hwa Yeong-bin synchronized his movement with Lee Geon and began to activate their lightness skills.

They had to hurry to meet others at a scheduled time.

As they sped along like legendary birds, Lee Geon calmly asked again, “But is there really a reason I had to come down because of that? Jeon Mu-gwang is dead, so isn’t everything resolved now?”

Hwa Yeong-bin answered with the same calm demeanor.

“Yes, we thought so too. That with Jeon Mu-gwang’s death, it was all over. But it wasn’t.”

“What?”

Lee Geon couldn’t understand.

If the Blood Demon Jeon Mu-gwang was defeated and his plot foiled, how could it still not be over? What more could there be?

Then Hwa Yeong-bin began to explain.

“Have you heard that the Heavenly Sword Saint Hae Un-baek has been appointed the new Martial Alliance Leader?”

“Yes, I have. After the Alliance King stepped down, blaming himself for being manipulated by the Blood Cult, he retired.”

Hwa Yeong-bin gave a faint, bitter smile.

In truth, the Alliance King had been forcibly removed and was now held captive somewhere, but the public only knew the sanitized version.

He decided to save that story for later and focused on the more pressing matter.

“Well, a problem arose. Several sects’ delegations traveling to attend the new leader’s inauguration were ambushed and completely wiped out.”

“What?! Wiped out?! Who attacked whom?”

“The victims were the Taesan Sect, the Hwangbo Clan, and… the Huashan Sect’s envoy.”

“…What?! Huashan Sect?!”

Lee Geon was genuinely shocked.

While the other sects were formidable, Huashan was among the top-tier of the Nine Great Sects.

They were definitely superior to the Cheongseong faction that Lee Geon and Hwa Yeong-bin belonged to.

For such a sect to be ambushed and annihilated was nothing short of astonishing.

“Then! Who did this?” Lee Geon asked urgently.

Hwa Yeong-bin’s expression darkened.

“It was one of the Blood Cult’s Five Demons—Gu Yu-eumma, also known as Ji Gi-eum. We only found out recently because he attacked Shaolin and was forced to retreat when the Heavenly Sword Saint came to their aid.”

“Gu Yu-eumma… Ji Gi-eum?”

Among the Blood Cult’s Five Demons, Gu Yu-eumma and Baek Myeon Sima Gu Woo-jeol had not participated in the final battle.

The righteous factions learned from Hae Cheong-yeon that they had undergone the Blood Demon transformation later than Jeon Mu-gwang and Cheok Gang, which was why they hadn’t arrived in time.

This was a huge relief for the righteous side.

Had they joined the fight, the balance of power would have tipped completely.

But this also meant that those who hadn’t come then had now fully become Blood Demons.

The very Blood Demons who had elevated the previous minor crisis to the level of the Divine Sword Scripture’s early stage.

Originally, they were among the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars, so now it was expected they had surpassed even the early Divine Sword Scripture level.

This realization plunged the entire martial world into terror.

They remembered all too well the Blood Cult’s true nature—lurking in the shadows, committing all manner of atrocities.

Ironically, it was only because the Blood Cult had taken over Yunnan Province that such horrors had been absent until now.

But now, a Blood Demon who had reached the Divine Sword Scripture level was roaming freely, committing the same atrocities as before.

Even though Jeon Mu-gwang had been defeated, the situation had become even more dangerous.

Hearing this, Lee Geon’s face paled as he asked again, “You’re saying they’ve become stronger than the early Divine Sword Scripture level? Then what do we do? That means they’re stronger than our master!”

Indeed.

Considering that Cheonggwang Jin-in was still at the early Divine Sword Scripture stage, these Blood Demons likely ranked among the upper half of the Absolute Fifteen.

But there was an even more troubling aspect.

Hwa Yeong-bin sighed deeply.

“The problem isn’t just their strength. Gu Yu-eumma, Ji Gi-eum, is also a master of stealth and divine arts.”

“Th-then?”

Realizing the implication, Lee Geon’s expression fell into despair.

Hwa Yeong-bin was saying that a Divine Sword Scripture-level expert, skilled in stealth and divine arts, was hiding in the shadows, slaughtering people.

Not only were there few who could defeat him, but even detecting him was nearly impossible.

How could they possibly stop someone like that?

Hwa Yeong-bin continued.

“For now, the Absolute Fifteen have divided the regions among themselves, standing guard and preparing for his attacks. It’s a small relief that the new Martial Alliance Leader and the Four Kings’ leader have united their efforts.”

“That’s truly a relief.”

There was another shocking revelation from Hae Cheong-yeon.

The Fourth King, Gwe Gal-hyeon, was not dead.

The Reversed Blood Demon Gwa-yeom had been so impressed by the Blood Demons’ power that he had captured the Fourth King, intending to turn him into a Blood Demon.

Thanks to the efforts of Seol Pung, the temporary leader of the Four Kings, the Fourth King was rescued and reinstated as the rightful successor.

Thus, the Four Kings regained their former glory as one of the Three Great Powers of the martial world.

Since then, the Fourth King had begun active exchanges with the Heavenly Sword Saint, thanks to Seol Pung’s mediation.

This meant that the Martial Alliance and the Four Kings had finally formed a genuine alliance.

Feeling somewhat reassured by Hwa Yeong-bin’s words, Lee Geon asked with curiosity, “Then, which of the Absolute Fifteen are stationed there?”

“Hmm, let me see. Among the One King, Two Kings, Three Sages, Three Demons, and Three Heroes, the Two Kings’ Lord Son Yeo-hyeop, the Three Sages, and the Three Heroes are all there. Even the Demon Sword Seoi Il from the Three Demons is helping out for some reason.”

The lineup of the Absolute Fifteen had changed significantly since Jeon Mu-gwang’s death.

Among the Two Kings, Son Eun-sang, who had been the Alliance King, was replaced by Son Yeo-hyeop, who earned the title of Two Kings’ Lord.

Among the Three Sages, all but Cheonma had died, so now the Three Sages consisted of Cheonma, and the newly Divine Sword Scripture-level Blood Demons Gu Yu-eumma and Baek Myeon Sima Gu Woo-jeol.

Among the Three Demons, the Demon Rogue Ga Chu-hak was dead.

And Cheonggwang Jin-in, once called the Cheongseong Gwaeseon, was now known as the Hyeopseon.

There was growing public sentiment that it was wrong to keep calling him “Goesun” when he had risked his life fighting the Blood Demon to protect the peace of the martial world.

So, along with the cooperative master Cheong Gwangjin, two new absolute figures of the Three Heroes emerged: Baek Hakno Geom Yang Moonheon, who had just reached the initial stage of the Fiery Realm, and Yong Woo-shin, the Dragon Clan leader known as “Cooperative Dragon.”

What no one knew was that both Yang Moonheon and Yong Woo-shin had mastered the Moonlight Phantom Sword Dance, the secret technique of the Fiery Realm.

Lee Geon nodded thoughtfully at Hwa Youngbin’s words, then asked again.

“I see. So, are we going to help them capture the Gu Yu Eumma Jigi-eum?”

Now that he understood the situation, Lee Geon could somewhat grasp why his master, Cheong Gwangjin, had summoned him during his seclusion. Even if his skills might not be much help against a Fiery Realm expert specialized in stealth and divine arts, they probably wanted every hand they could get.

But contrary to Lee Geon’s assumption, Hwa Youngbin shook his head, denying the idea.

“No, that’s not our mission.”

“…What? Then what exactly…?”

“Our task is…”

After Je Gal Ji-gang, a military officer of the Martial Alliance, was imprisoned alongside Mo Yonggeom, the current military officer serving under Sword Saint Hae Un-baek was Sima Yeoryang of the Sima clan.

Recommended by Sunwoo Jin, Sima Yeoryang met the Sword Saint, who boldly offered him a position in the Martial Alliance’s military on their first meeting.

Naturally, Sima Yeoryang accepted with great honor.

Now a military officer of the Martial Alliance, Sima Yeoryang explained the reason behind Gu Yu Eumma’s rampage.

“Of course, part of it is revenge for the Blood Demon, but I believe it’s more likely a diversion tactic.”

A diversion tactic.

Gu Yu Eumma was causing chaos to draw attention away from something else.

When asked what that was, Sima Yeoryang answered:

“It’s obvious what he wants to hide. Their stronghold—the place where they keep creating Blood Demon servants.”

According to Hae Cheong-yeon, who retained memories from when he was a Reverse Blood Demon, the ritual to create Blood Demon servants was no simple matter.

It took a long time and required a great many rare ingredients.

That was why neither Gu Yu Eumma nor Baek Myeon Sima had become Blood Demon servants themselves.

So, as Sima Yeoryang predicted, Gu Yu Eumma’s rampage was meant to draw eyes away from their base, buying time to produce more Blood Demon servants and strengthen their forces.

“Knowing this, our top priority must be to strike their stronghold, preventing them from gaining more power. And we must kill Baek Myeon Sima—the only one capable of creating Blood Demon servants—to eliminate any future threat.”

After saying this, Sima Yeoryang sent letters to various sects, requesting cooperation to gather troops for the Blood Cult Extermination Force.

That was the founding of the so-called Blood Cult Extermination Squad.

Hearing all this, Lee Geon finally understood his role.

Though his skills might be of little use capturing a Fiery Realm expert like Jigi-eum, many warriors would be needed to wipe out the remaining Blood Cult remnants.

His eyes shining, Lee Geon asked eagerly.

“So, where are we headed?”

“To Yunnan Province. We’ll join up with Sunwoo Jin’s close friends there and then head straight to Yunnan.”

With that, Hwa Youngbin and Lee Geon set off without hesitation, arriving at Deokchang in Sichuan Province.

This was where the Guang Sword Tomb of the notorious Guang Sword Gang was located.

Inside a guesthouse they had agreed upon, they met those who had arrived earlier.

Among them were members of the Flying Dragon Corps—Bae Jong-gwan, Sa Gun-il, Cheon Ju-eun, Ya Unhyang, Je Won-young—and Sunwoo Jin’s subordinates, including Gyeon Joong and Jeok Ma-hyeok, as well as Jeok Ma-hyeok’s younger brothers.

Of them, Bi Sa-yeong, who had returned to the Guang Sword Tomb and was staying with them, was the first to recognize Hwa Youngbin and greeted him with a bright smile.

“Hwa hyungnim! You’re here! Oh, and Geon came too?! It’s been a while!”

Having once become friends with Bi Sa-yeong alongside Sunwoo Jin, Lee Geon smiled warmly and approached him.

“Sa-yeong! Great to see you! How have you been? You’ve gotten so strong!”

But as they reached out to clasp hands, both suddenly sensed something was off and looked at Hwa Youngbin with puzzled expressions.

They saw him frozen like a statue, standing still with trembling eyes, staring intensely at a single person.

His gaze was a turbulent mix of shock, joy, and longing.

Bi Sa-yeong glanced toward where Hwa Youngbin was looking and asked with curiosity.

“Hwa hyungnim? Is something wrong?”

Then, with a heart-wrenching look fixed on that one person, Hwa Youngbin finally spoke.

“Jeong-seon? Is it really you?”

All eyes turned to her.

She was the first Blood Demon servant brought from the Guang Sword Tomb—the very woman who, in Sunwoo Jin’s original life, was destined to become the Blood Demon Witch, a nightmare to the righteous sects.

At that moment, everyone realized the truth: she was Jeong-seon of the Ami Sword Peak incident over a decade ago, believed dead in the Great Blood Purge.

And that Hwa Youngbin had finally reunited with the lover he had wandered for ten years unable to forget.

“Jeong-seon!”

Hwa Youngbin rushed to her, who looked at him bewildered, and embraced her tightly.

Through sobs, he repeated:

“Thank you, thank you, Jeong-seon. Thank God you’re alive. Thank heavens, truly, thank you. Sniffle”

Jeong-seon didn’t remember him.

But she couldn’t bring herself to push away the man who was crying and thanking the heavens.

After a moment, still in his arms, she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist.

For some reason, she felt compelled to do so.

Being held by him now, she felt so warm and so deeply missed.

Hwa Youngbin, who had lost all meaning in life after being unable to avenge her or forget her, was now filled with profound gratitude.

Grateful that she was still alive, and that he himself had not yet given up on life.

---

Two years later.

The Blood Cult Extermination Squad had yet to achieve its goal.

The scattered Blood Cult leaders’ fierce resistance and the periodic appearance of Fiery Realm-level Blood Demon servants posed tremendous threats.

In the early days, they suffered heavy losses.

A solo task force from the Sichuan Tang family, who had underestimated the mission as mere mop-up of Blood Cult remnants, was completely wiped out.

This incident served as a wake-up call for all martial artists.

But hardship in the beginning only strengthened their unity.

With a proper leader, the Martial Alliance quickly adapted, reorganizing the Blood Cult Extermination Squad into a far more systematic force, built around the original Flying Dragon Corps.

The counterattack had begun.

Two years passed.

During that time, the righteous martial artists of the Martial Alliance and the Five Kings’ Union united to face the Blood Cult.

It was also a time when many new heroes emerged amid fierce battles.

At Mount Jeomchang in Yunnan Province, the Blood Cult Extermination Squad—still bearing the Flying Dragon Corps’ name—finally stood before the Blood Cult’s headquarters.

Among them, Bae Jong-gwan, newly appointed leader of the Flying Dragon Corps after the injury of the former leader, the Storm Wanderer Pung Yang, gazed up at the towering Mount Jeomchang and murmured:

“We’ve finally made it this far, brother.”

A supreme master who had shattered countless Blood Cult leaders and Blood Demon servants with even greater ferocity, Bae Jong-gwan had become an idol to many righteous martial artists.

His legendary defense against a Fiery Realm Blood Demon servant’s assault a year ago—standing alone, clad in golden protective armor, saving countless lives—was still talked about.

So many young martial artists had begun to study external martial arts in admiration of him.

Beside him, Sa Gun-il, leader of the Flying Dragon’s Eleventh Division and current head of the Jeomchang Sect, nodded with a complex expression as he too looked at Mount Jeomchang.

“Indeed. Finally… finally, we’ve come this far.”

Though he loved his sect more than anyone, Sa Gun-il had long been unable to dream of its revival due to its past sins.

But after hearing of Mayu-gyeom’s death, his heart changed.

If even one who had committed unforgivable crimes could repent, serve the world, and die honorably, then so could the Jeomchang Sect.

So he accepted the position of sect leader he had long refused and began dreaming of the sect’s rebirth alongside his close friend, Jeomchang Sword Tiger Je Won-young.

Two years later, after countless hardships, they finally stood before their sect’s home mountain.

It was an overwhelming moment.

Then, Hwa Youngbin, leader of the Flying Dragon’s Tenth Division, smiled gently and spoke to them.

“Though perhaps not as much as you, I too am deeply moved. The final battle is upon us. I just want to take down Baek Myeon Sima waiting inside and return home.”

Turning his head, he looked tenderly at his lover Jeong-seon standing behind him and asked,

“Isn’t that right, Jeong-seon?”

Since reuniting with Jeong-seon two years ago, Hwa Youngbin had never wanted to be apart from her, not even for a moment.

He had once declared that it didn’t matter if she didn’t remember him; he was willing to give up the campaign against the Blood Sect and live his life as her personal bodyguard.

But in the end, he couldn’t do that.

Though she didn’t recall him, Jeongseon found something familiar and dear in his embrace—and it was she who proposed they join forces to take down the Blood Sect together.

From that moment on, the two were inseparable.

Jeongseon, a Blood Demon of unparalleled martial prowess, and Hwayoungbin, who soon rose to the pinnacle of mastery, became the talk of the martial world. Their legendary exploits, along with the striking blue and red swords they carried, earned them the nickname “The Azure and Crimson Twin Blades,” stirring the hearts of countless women.

What no one else knew was that the twin swords had been a gift from Seon Woojin.

When Hwayoungbin asked, Jeongseon stepped closer, her eyes full of tender affection, and clasped his hand tightly.

“I don’t care where we go, as long as I’m with you.”

Moved, Hwayoungbin exclaimed, “Jeongseon! Honestly, I feel the same!”

Standing before their base, soaked in emotion, Sagunil suddenly felt a twinge of discomfort watching their display.

He was well aware that Hwayoungbin, reunited with his lover after more than a decade, and Jeongseon, who had lost her memories, showed no concern for others’ gazes when expressing their love. Still, every time he saw it, it grated on him.

With a reluctant expression, Sagunil turned his gaze toward Bae Jonggwan and spoke.

“They said the Shinryong Unit would arrive tonight…”

But he stopped mid-sentence when he noticed Bae Jonggwan holding hands tenderly with Kwe Do Myorang, the thirteenth division leader, and Cheon Joo-eun.

He then shifted his gaze to Jeomchang Swordmaster Je Won-young standing behind them and finished his sentence quietly.

“…right?”

Je Won-young replied curtly, “Yes, they’re coming tonight. Once they arrive, the attack will begin. So don’t bother me—I’m just as uneasy about this as you are.”

Neither Sagunil nor Je Won-young had found a partner yet.

Though both were young masters of extraordinary skill and handsome, Sagunil had no intention of getting involved with any woman until he rebuilt the Jeomchang Sect, and Je Won-young hadn’t opened his heart to anyone since Haechungyeon.

Sagunil gave a faint, bittersweet smile and widened his view to take in the surroundings.

Around Jeomchang Mountain, other Biryong units were gathering as well.

Over two thousand warriors in total—elite fighters who had endured fierce battles against the Blood Sect over the past two years.

The reality that only the final decisive battle remained was undeniable.

“Finally…”

His heart swelled with anticipation at the thought that just one more step would reclaim Jeomchang Mountain.

He felt an urge to rush forward immediately.

At that moment, Cheon Joo-eun, still holding Bae Jonggwan’s hand, spoke with a worried expression.

“The Blood Sect forces inside Jeomchangpa won’t be easy to deal with, right? I’m a bit concerned.”

Everyone, including Sagunil, nodded solemnly.

Bae Jonggwan seemed about to respond, but when Cheon Joo-eun smiled and shook her head, he returned the smile and nodded.

Having spent a long time together at Gwanggeomneung, Sagunil could guess what had been exchanged between them without hearing a word.

“Probably something like, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.’ And Cheon Sojeo probably told him to keep that just between them.”

He shook his head.

Though he liked the kind-hearted and affectionate Bae Jonggwan, he still couldn’t quite understand how Cheon Joo-eun had accepted his feelings.

After all, Cheon Joo-eun had reached the pinnacle before Bae Jonggwan and had earned tremendous fame and popularity fighting on the Blood Sect frontlines.

Maybe it was Bae Jonggwan’s confident vow to always protect her, despite being weaker, that won her over.

Putting their relationship aside, her concerns were valid.

The Blood Demons, who usually appeared every two weeks, hadn’t been seen for two months now.

And the presence of Baekmyeon Sima Guujeol, a warrior expected to possess Hwagyeong-level power, was another worrying factor.

“Not to mention, Gu Yuumma Jigi-eum hasn’t been active recently either. Maybe he’s returned inside to prepare for the final battle…”

If that were true, this fight would undoubtedly be a brutal, all-out war worthy of the final showdown.

At that moment, Hwayoungbin, sharing similar concerns, spoke with a serious expression.

“I don’t doubt the Shinryong Unit’s strength, but is it really enough to fight this battle alone?”

The Shinryong Unit was an elite squad formed specifically to counter Blood Demons with Hwagyeong-level power.

Composed entirely of masters ranked among the Thirty-Six Stars of the world, they moved freely across the frontlines, intercepting Blood Demons wherever they appeared.

Their contributions had been remarkable.

The Blood Sect Extermination Force’s steady victories and advance to Jeomchang Mountain were largely thanks to their efforts.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from the air.

“If you think we’re not enough on our own—”

Startled, everyone looked up sharply.

A streak of blue light shot through the sky and landed beside them in an instant.

With a snap, the newcomer grinned and asked Hwayoungbin, “Not going to fight, big brother?”

Cheers erupted.

“Sayoung!”

“Sayoung!”

“Lord Bi!”

It was Bi Sayoung, a familiar and welcome face after a long absence.

Everyone nearby was either his acquaintance or friend, and they greeted him with surprise and joy.

“Sayoung! How have you been?”

“They said you’d arrive tonight—how come you’re here already?”

But the warm greetings weren’t limited to his friends.

Soon, others from the Biryong units who had been watching also burst into enthusiastic cheers.

“Whoa! Bi Sayoung! The Shinryong Unit’s leader!”

“What?! Shinpoong Bi-eung!”

“What?! They’re already here?!”

“That’s enough! That’s enough!”

Bi Sayoung was currently the leader of the Shinryong Unit.

He was one of the Thirty-Six Stars, a formidable master of the Shinbeop style, and a rival to Seon Woojin for the title of the world’s greatest secret blade master.

When he was first appointed leader of the Shinryong Unit, his youth sparked controversy.

But he quickly silenced all doubts with his skill.

Having mastered the Moonlit Sword Dance, he displayed incredible martial prowess against the Blood Demons and was now considered the only one in the unit capable of single-handedly annihilating them.

Bi Sayoung smiled broadly at the warm welcome.

“There was no work to do, so I came early. Also, Sagamunsa said the enemy might strike first with a surprise attack, so it’s best to get ready.”

Sagunil’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Sagamunsa? Then…?!”

At that moment, another beam of light flew in from the distant sky and landed beside Bi Sayoung.

“Ugh, I’m dying here! You damn fool! Don’t you have any respect for your elders in that head of yours?!”

The one scolding Bi Sayoung as soon as he landed was Hong Haea Jeungchil.

A member of the Shinryong Unit, he was also one of the Thirty-Six Stars and known as one of the fastest warriors in the world—the “Heavenly Five Birds.”

Bi Sayoung grinned slyly and replied.

“Hey now, newlywed, how can you call an old man that? You might hurt the bride’s feelings.”

Jeungchil blinked in surprise and asked back.

“R-Really? Well, I guess that makes sense.”

Jeungchil had recently married Unyeong, one of the six sword masters who had once been betrothed to Seon Woojin.

Unyeong had cared for Jeungchil since their travels together and had long harbored feelings for him.

But Jeungchil, older, shy, and lacking confidence in his looks, had been hesitant to make a move.

Growing frustrated, Unyeong had eventually proposed marriage herself.

Thus, Jeungchil, who had wandered alone all his life, found happiness in marrying the girl he met by the sea, So Youngchun, who had become his disciple.

Now, he was undoubtedly the happiest man alive.

Friends had urged him to leave the frontlines and focus on his family.

But Jeungchil scoffed.

“Hmph! My brothers are all fighting—how could the eldest brother just step aside? No way!”

So, even after marriage, he remained with the Shinryong Unit.

After Jeungchil’s arrival, other Shinryong members began to trickle in.

Among them were Shin Geomrang Lee Geon, a genius swordsman of the Cheongseong Sect; Jeok Ma-hyeok, a former assassin of the Sachesalmun now affiliated with the Seonwoo family; Gyeon Joong of the Cheonsalhyup; and Baek Gi-ryang, a noble swordsman under the command of Gam Jak-hyeong and Seol Poong, who had also pledged allegiance to the Seonwoo family.

Once all the Shinryong Unit members had gathered, Sagunil finally asked the question that had been on his mind.

“You said you heard Sagamunsa’s orders earlier. Does that mean he’s here at the frontlines now?”

Bi Sayoung nodded.

“Yes, he’s on his way here.”

Hwayoungbin’s face grew anxious as he quickly asked.

“Is that really okay? Gu Yuumma might still be lurking.”

Sagamunsa Sama Yeoryang’s exploits had been nothing short of astonishing.

Not only had they figured out why Gu Yuumma’s Ji Gi-eum sought to draw attention, but they had also meticulously analyzed and predicted his movements, successfully thwarting his attacks multiple times.

Ji Gi-eum’s frustration had even driven him to recklessly assault the Murim Alliance, all in a desperate attempt to eliminate that very threat first.

Now, word had come that Sima Yeoryang had left the Murim Alliance and arrived at the front lines.

There was no doubt Ji Gi-eum would target him.

At that moment, Lee Geon, disciple of Hwa Young-bin from the Shinryong Corps, answered on behalf of Bi Sa-yeong.

“The commander intends to use himself as bait to lure Gu Yuumma in. Since Jeomchang Mountain is right ahead, and Gu Yuumma must be nearby, the plan is to add himself as bait to draw him out completely.”

Hwa Young-bin let out a low whistle.

“Hmm, a trap, then.”

It was an understandable strategy. If Gu Yuumma got involved in the battle at Jeomchang Mountain, the difficulty would skyrocket. So if they could lure him elsewhere and eliminate him there, it would be ideal.

But the real question was whether that was even possible.

Ji Gi-eum of Gu Yuumma was a figure no absolute power in Murim had ever managed to capture, despite their best efforts.

He was known to toy with his pursuers, leading them into traps and causing damage elsewhere. Among the current absolute powers, he was considered the most dangerous.

And now, Sima the commander was appearing right in his own backyard.

It was an incredibly risky move.

As everyone absorbed this news with grave expressions, Jeok Ma-hyeok, the shadowy assassin who was said to have been reborn as a chivalrous hero, smiled faintly and said,

“You needn’t worry so much. The Sword Master is guarding the commander’s side.”

Bi Sa-yeong clicked his tongue softly and muttered,

“The Sword Master, huh…”

Everyone else was stunned.

“He is? But wasn’t he supposed to go with us to Jeomchang Mountain? The other absolute powers can’t easily leave their posts, so without him, who will face Baekmyeon Sima?”

Then, Gui-do Baek Gi-ryang smiled gently and replied,

“Don’t worry. Our lord is on his way. He has finally emerged from seclusion.”

At this, everyone was once again taken aback.

Baek Gi-ryang’s lord was none other than Seol Poong, who had entered seclusion two years ago.

Baek Jong-gwan hurriedly asked,

“Seol Poong Jo-jang—no, Sovereign So-ryeon—has emerged from seclusion? Then…?”

Baek Gi-ryang nodded with a pleased smile, unable to hide his excitement.

“Yes, that’s right. He’s already broken through the Wall of Hwa-gyeong.”

Two years ago, Seol Poong, originally slated to become the Grand Master of Shinryong Corps before Bi Sa-yeong, had been ordered into seclusion by the fearsome Sawaengryeon Sovereign, Gwe Gal-hyeon.

The order was to train until he was worthy of the title, as his skills were deemed insufficient to face the enemy.

But few believed that explanation.

Since Hyung Joong-hyeop Yong Woo-shin had ascended to absolute power, Seol Poong—still in his twenties and ranked among the top thirty-six warriors—could hardly be lacking in skill.

Most suspected the Sovereign’s true intention was to have Seol Poong grow stronger and avenge his defeat to the Sword Master.

No one wanted the Sovereign’s heir to be forever second best.

Now, Seol Poong had broken through the Wall of Hwa-gyeong in just two years.

A new absolute power in his twenties had emerged in Murim.

Sa Gun-il sighed.

“If he’s broken through the Wall of Hwa-gyeong, then his true martial prowess might be mid-Hwa-gyeong level, or even higher.”

Seol Poong’s unique martial arts—Jeok An Gwang Hyeol Gong and Jeon Ryun Bak—amplify his martial power.

Even before breaking through the wall, he could fight warriors at the entry level of Hwa-gyeong.

So now, having surpassed that barrier, it was safe to assume he had grown much stronger.

This could very well shake up the rankings among the absolute powers.

Then, Chun Ju-eun spoke, suddenly nostalgic.

“Come to think of it, two absolute powers have come from among our former Chiljo members. It doesn’t feel like that long ago.”

Everyone quietly nodded in agreement.

Indeed, from the remote corner of the front lines—the Bilryong Thirteen, and from the lowest group, Chiljo—two absolute powers had emerged.

It was a moment of deep reflection.

Bi Sa-yeong, who had been smiling briefly, now scoffed playfully with a pout.

“Hmph! Should we stop at two? Just wait. I’ll be the third.”

Though said in jest, everyone took his words seriously.

At his young age, already ranked among the Thirty-Six Stars, it was only a matter of time before he rose to absolute power.

Feeling a bit embarrassed that no one took his joke lightly, Bi Sa-yeong was caught off guard when Baek Jong-gwan suddenly asked in a simple, innocent tone,

“By the way, where’s Ya So-jeo? Isn’t she coming with us this time?”

Chun Ju-eun quickly jabbed Baek Jong-gwan’s side with her elbow, and Bi Sa-yeong’s expression instantly crumpled.

Baek Jong-gwan looked at Chun Ju-eun, puzzled by the sudden signal.

Then, Jung Chil burst out laughing, barely able to contain himself.

“Ha ha ha! What do you think? They fought again.”

“Wha—again?!” Baek Jong-gwan looked at Bi Sa-yeong in disbelief.

Bi Sa-yeong’s face only grew more distressed.

He was in a relationship with Ya Un-hyang, the blood disciple of the Bi clan and his sworn sister.

Originally, Ya Un-hyang had joined the Bilryong Corps smitten with Seol Poong at first sight, but over time, spending so much time with Bi Sa-yeong, her heart had shifted to him.

Bi Sa-yeong felt the same.

The problem was, their relationship was rarely peaceful.

Compared to Bi Sa-yeong, who was somewhat conservative and inexperienced in romance, Ya Un-hyang was a free-spirited woman from the Sapa faction who had met many men before.

Moreover, as one of the four beauties of Sapa, she was not easy to win over.

When they were just sworn siblings, they got along perfectly, but once they started dating, they fought and clashed endlessly.

After going through all that, they had finally started to get along well—until now.

Baek Jong-gwan asked with concern,

“You two haven’t fought recently, right? What happened this time?”

Bi Sa-yeong avoided his gaze and mumbled,

“Ah, it’s nothing, really…”

Jung Chil laughed again, lightheartedly.

“Nothing? Come on! This time, when we met the Amipa reinforcements, a pretty girl named Jeong An tried to get his attention. She asked why he hadn’t come to visit Amipa as promised, and his face turned so red! It was like watching a shy teenager! Ha ha ha!”

“That’s not because he was embarrassed, but because he was flustered…!”

The others’ expressions turned cold as they began to chide Bi Sa-yeong.

“Sa-yeong, you did that right in front of Ya So-jeo?”

“I didn’t do anything…”

“That’s awful, Lord Bi. Ya Un-hyang has worked so hard, and you’re looking at other women?”

“No, I didn’t look at anyone else…”

“Tsk tsk, disappointing, Sa-yeong. Having one of the four beauties of Sapa by your side and still giving your heart to another woman.”

“No…”

“You’re hopeless.”

“Ugh!”

Bi Sa-yeong, known as Shin Poong Bi-eung—the top among the Thirty-Six Stars and famed as the greatest flying blade in the world—could only sink under the relentless teasing.

Those who had been teasing him now looked relieved to see him so thoroughly humbled.

At that moment, Baek Jong-gwan said sympathetically,

“I don’t really get why you two fight so much, but if it keeps happening, why not just get married already, Sa-yeong?”

For Baek Jong-gwan, who had never fought with Chun Ju-eun, it was naturally hard to understand.

Chun Ju-eun chimed in,

“Yeah. You two fight because other people keep interfering. Maybe it’d be better to just get married quickly.”

Bi Sa-yeong replied with a resigned expression,

“Well, looking at Jin, marriage doesn’t always solve everything.”

Hwa Young-bin looked puzzled.

“Hmm? What about Jin? Is something wrong with him?”

Bi Sa-yeong recalled a conversation with Sunwoo Jin before coming here and shook his head.

“No, it’s nothing. You’ll hear it directly later. But for now, shall we talk about the attack? The assault will begin as soon as Seol Poong Jo-jang arrives. Please inform the other teams so they can prepare. The initial strike will be led by Seol Poong Jo-jang and Amipa’s Gyeolheosa-tai…”

With a serious expression, Bi Sa-yeong began explaining the operation.

Preparing for battle against the Blood Cult, he had returned to his cold, calculating self—the Grand Master of Shinryong Corps and one of the strongest among the Thirty-Six Stars.