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**

I kicked up my foot. The sword that was in contact flew away.

The spirit of self-defense that transcends ordinary self-defense techniques.

The mastered intent through the Heart Sword completely shattered the enemy’s defenses. The raised sword split into dozens of fragments, raining down like a storm.

“W-what…?”

I casually swatted one that came flying at my head. Amidst the sound of countless fragments embedding into the ground, I extended my hand.

Sapa’s First Sword, Heuk Dae-wun.

The last sight I saw was of someone who was much more twisted now, struggling to get up.

“It’s been a while, Heuk Dae-wun.”

“…Y-you…?”

His state is a mess. The woman behind him, eyes wide open, wasn’t faring any better either.

Was it due to prolonged pursuit? Or was it the poison? I can’t pinpoint exactly either…

I need to get the situation sorted first.

“Everyone, stop.”

“Y-you bastard! What kind of sorcery—!”

I immediately grabbed the face of the Sapa warrior charging at me, slamming him down into the ground.

—KWA-AAAANG!!!

The resonating vibration. I pulled my hand away from the one deeply embedded in the ground.

The remaining ones flinched.

“W-what just happened…?”

“T-this can’t be happening…”

I weaved through the frozen people, reaching out to the woman half-raising herself.

This person must be… Master of Sado Clan Gu Ok-gyeong.

Though her body was a wreck, her beauty still shone through, so I must be right.

“Master of Sado Clan Gu Ok-gyeong, is that correct?”

“…Who are you?”

“I was sent by Song Nam-cheon for assistance.”

“What? Song Nam-cheon?”

“…For now.”

I looked around at those trying to sneak away.

I can’t let them go like this.

Who knows what might happen later.

“I’m going to sort this situation out.”

I reached out. Red threads, like fine filament, shot out and tied everything together.

Blood Threads. A variation of Yi-hyeong Ki.

I lightly pulled on the threads binding all the warriors. Normally, they would scatter like broken pieces, but I held back some mercy in my grasp.

It might be possible to extract necessary information.

—SHWAAACK!

Those bound in one spot screamed. I pressed down as if against a rock.

Binding them was an instant. I averted my gaze from the subdued warriors.

I brought the real Master of Sado Clan to her feet. She looked at me, disbelief etching her features, as if questioning what just happened.

“W-what kind of monster are you? Was there someone like you with Song Nam-cheon…?”

“I thought our goals might align. Please don’t take me for a mere pawn. And Heuk Dae-wun, what will you do if you break the promise we made?”

The wheezing Heuk Dae-wun flinched.

“W-well, there were circumstances…”

“…….”

“It’s true! I can explain! I, Heuk Dae-wun, wouldn’t speak a lie!”

“What? What relationship do you two have?!”

I focused on the noise coming from afar.

The ‘Heavenly Demon Network,’ wasn’t it? Clearly, the pursuers are not just one squad. I could fight and suppress them continuously, but…

“Let’s put the jokes aside for now. We need to move.”

There was no particular reason, really.

After all, I just need to slip away.

Song Nam-cheon appeared a bit late, panting heavy breaths and wiping away drool as if he’d struggled to keep up.

“W-what took you so long… Master!”

“Song Nam-cheon! What in the world is happening?!”

“F-first, let’s move! What are we going to do about the pursuers?!”

“I had planned to bring them along since we might gain some information…”

Song Nam-cheon drew his sword. Without hesitation, he decapitated the heads of those who were tied up.

Blood splattered. The familiarity of killing reminded me once again who these people were.

Indeed, they were warriors of Sapa. Unlike the righteous, they only cared for practicality.

“If they’re just minor characters, they probably don’t have any useful information! Master! Please follow us! We have a hideout prepared in haste!”

“Wait.”

The Master of Sado Clan snarled while moving her sword. The last remaining warrior, still unconscious, was pierced through.

“You bastard… If I see you in the afterlife, I’ll make sure to kill you again.”

A woman with a strong vendetta.

Song Nam-cheon hurriedly guided us. I glanced back alone.

“Heuk Dae-wun?! Didn’t I say we need to hurry?!”

“Leave a trace. Follow shortly after.”

“What’s that supposed to mean…?”

“Moving two people in bad condition will naturally slow us down.”

I began to step away, to dismiss the presence creeping toward us.

“Go on ahead.”

“…Understood…!”

They disappeared. I didn’t mind.

After all, moving solo was more comfortable for me.

The presence closing in soon settled before me. The Sado Clan pursuers, who likely came after hearing the ruckus, flinched upon seeing the scattered corpses and me.

“…Who are you?”

Wasn’t it said there’s no information to be gained from minor characters?

I gave a brief warning.

“If you turn away, I’ll let you keep your lives.”

“Attack!”

The swords flying at me without warning were rather convenient.

It gave me less time to think.

“You chose this.”

The Ear Sword, Gumang, softly resonated.

. . .

A campfire blazed. Quickly gathered rations were placed atop it.

Song Nam-cheon glanced toward the covered entrance. A makeshift hideout carved from a small cave in the cliffs.

It was hastily prepared, so it was a bit sloppy in its secrecy. But given the current situation, it was the best I could do.

Being chased, I was in no different a position. After confirming no one was after us, Song Nam-cheon sealed the entrance again.

The Master of Sado Clan hastily shoved unheated jerky into her mouth. Heuk Dae-wun did the same.

“…How long have you been starving?”

“Three days? Maybe even longer.”

“I was told you went far.”

“I was halted at the Sado Clan’s border. The vigilance there was tight; I couldn’t advance further. The pursuers kept tightening the noose… Ultimately, I had to choose to turn back to survive. It was the best choice. Dae-wun. Water, please.”

“Here you go.”

With some of her stomach filled, the Master of Sado Clan sighed. Leaning her back against the wall, she glanced at her wounds.

“Do you have any healing ointment?”

“I do.”

“Thank goodness.”

Even with severe injuries, the Master of Sado Clan forced back her groans as she slathered the healing ointment generously.

The remaining ointment naturally passed on to Sapa’s First Sword. But he shook his head.

“I’m fine. It’s better to conserve the medicine.”

“You’re running on empty. Use it.”

“It’s all good.”

“…You’re stubborn. Song Nam-cheon, but I’m a bit touched? I didn’t think you’d care this much.”

“It’s the role of the general to follow the Master. Isn’t it only natural?”

“If someone like you had the guts, we wouldn’t be chased this badly in the first place. That damn woman…”

“Can you tell me the truth?”

“Before that, I have a question. Who was that child just now? Where did you get that monster from?”

“…He’s a warrior who was part of the Cheonryong Association.”

“The Cheonryong Association? A righteous warrior? But why would such a person help us?”

“That…I’m not very sure myself…”

The sky opened up. The three of us flinched and grabbed our swords.

But the sword that entered was familiar; it was a warrior we had parted ways with not long ago.

He stepped into the cave, leaning against the wall with his sword sheath. As the sudden silence settled, Song Nam-cheon subtly pointed at him.

“Why don’t you ask him directly?”

. . .

Master of Sado Clan Gu Ok-gyeong subtly glanced around.

What a strange man. Despite witnessing the earlier scene, I felt nothing now.

Usually, skilled individuals could recognize each other. But this man had none of that.

He seemed like a commoner who had never learned swordsmanship at all. If I hadn’t seen the previous spectacle, I wouldn’t have believed he was a warrior.

A third-rate swordsman. That’s the extent of his presence.

But I saw it.

The miraculous sight of him blocking the powerful Yi-hyeong Ki coming down with his toes.

Could even a master of Hyun-kyung do that? Honestly, I’m not sure. I myself didn’t have the conviction.

Even if it were due to the special nature of martial arts, the act itself was one of eccentricity. But there’s one thing that’s certain.

“…You.”

You’re strong.

To a degree that’s unfathomable.

“Are you an ally?”

A single question pierced through the silence. His gaze flicked over to me as an answer.

His eyes were sharp. His face was refined and undeniably handsome. To be frank, he wasn’t just handsome; it was as if he had crafted his features meticulously to be like a statue.

I know about the concept of a transformation. However, something about his face feels like it has completely shed any imperfections of beauty.

A beautiful appearance. But more importantly…

It lies within the sword he carries.

It swayed with a strange aura, as if embracing a precious lover. To be honest, if I saw him for the first time, I might have questioned the sword before him.

The sword itself felt almost alive.

Gu Ok-gyeong shifted the direction of the question.

“What is that sword? A divine weapon?”

“It is both a divine weapon and a treasured weapon. Now, we are inseparable.”

“…….?”

That’s a heavy description for an ordinary weapon.

He turned his body around. It was as if he was trying to clarify his position.

“For now, I am an ally. You could say that. Our goals likely align, so until then, you can trust me.”

“…What’s the goal?”

“The false Master of Sado Clan. That would be Yeong-wol, correct?”

The Master of Sado Clan flinched.

“…How do you know that?”

“I came here to kill her.”

“What? Are you an assassin sent by the righteous faction?”

“There’s no need to hide it anymore. I am not from the righteous faction.”

He briefly stated.

“I am Jeok-un from the Heavenly Demon Sect, a member of the Pursuit Spirit Pavilion. I’m currently chasing two individuals believed to be part of the Reverse Heaven. Yeong-wol and Jin Baek-cheon. They are my targets.”

“…Reverse Heaven.”

At the mention from Yeong-wol, Gu Ok-gyeong narrowed her eyes.

Her posture instinctively leaned forward.

“I want to hear that story in a bit more detail.”

 

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