「Hmph. Why are you so surprised?」

Once a bodyguard of the Master of Sado Clan…

Now, the group of Reverse Heaven wearing the mask of the Master of Sado, Yeong-wol slowly opened his eyes.

It’s a nostalgic dream. Can first love really be forgotten? He closed his eyes and quietly fell into thought.

Where did it all begin? Hmm. Yes. It must have been that.

No matter how hard he tried, he could not overcome the limitation of gender.

Cheonma. My first love. I whisper that name, which I fell for sincerely even though I came for a mere mission.

The gallant figure. The playful smile. Hadn’t it awakened feelings he had forgotten within?

The ‘love’ he longed for.

But he failed. He could do anything for her, yet she saw him only as a subordinate who cared for her.

He craved for a romantic affection but it never returned. The somewhat bitter reaction only made his heart ache more.

The one he fell in love with was too noble and strong.

And because of that, he became somewhat oblivious to the surroundings.

Did he not realize it back then? That the other person should make him feel needed.

Only then could he have someone who would look at him alone, transcending the barrier of gender.

“…….”

But his first attempt failed. It was unstable, and the plan was easily revealed.

Cheonma was perceptive and spat out all the poison he had fed her. The plan fell apart, and that damned guy even sabotaged the stage.

In the tangled web of plans, everything ultimately came to nothing.

Yet this time is different. The Master of Sado. She certainly can’t compare to Cheonma…

Still, she’s an attractive woman. To the point where she made her own choice.

“…But…”

It’s still lacking.

Without her, this emptiness cannot be filled.

Where could she be now? What is she thinking?

Yeong-wol took a deep breath. It’s okay. They will surely meet again later.

Until then, he would endure with substitutes.

After all, everything will go as he wishes.

“Rianju-nim!”

But then, an unexpected event occurred.

Yeong-wol narrowed his eyes. Wearing the mask of the Master of Sado, he received all the reports flowing in.

The imitated voice trembled at the unforeseen situation. Unable to comprehend it, he asked again.

“…The advance has been halted?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

He urgently submitted the report.

The names written inside were simple.

“A legendary master named Mukseong has appeared in the enemy camp! Considering various circumstances… the General judged that he possesses power equal to that of Lord Cheonryong!”

“…Hyun-kyung?”

In today’s martial world.

Even now, when geniuses he could never have imagined are emerging everywhere, that name still holds weight.

Even now, in the era deemed the most brilliant golden age in history, the number of those who have reached Hyun-kyung is alarmingly low.

The moment they show themselves, the situation becomes chaotic. When a Hyun-kyung master clashes with another, the very terrain is not just disrupted; it becomes common to exhaust troops to the limit.

Literally, monsters beyond the realm of humans. One more such being in the Cheonryong Association…?

“……?”

As Yeong-wol was reading the report, he suddenly paused.

There was something dubious in the report. Not dying even when killed…

“…This is…”

Rapid regeneration.

A burning black shadow from the wounded area.

Clearly, the man had suffered lethal wounds dozens, even hundreds of times…

The story of a man who rose like an immortal.

“…Cheongeop…?”

At the sudden thought, Yeong-wol shook his head.

No. That can’t be. He himself possessed Cheongeop.

That unimaginable pain is beyond description. Once or twice of death, he could manage somehow by biting his teeth…

But anything beyond that is impossible. His sanity would break, and he would drop his sword.

Furthermore, Cheongeop does not mean invulnerability. Such acts are impossible.

To regenerate the moment the sword is drawn and to act unaffected?

Isn’t that entirely different from what he possesses? The regeneration speed of Cheongeop is not that fast. Besides, if he suffers fatal wounds, he’s done for.

Be it a crushed heart or a severed neck, in any case, it’s the same. Like the process of a human reaching death, if vital parts are damaged, he dies immediately.

Cheongeop’s regenerative ability has limits. Doesn’t he, who has stolen and possessed it from Cheonma, know this best?

Then, he can be ruled out as Cheongeop…

“…Jeok-un…?”

He doesn’t know who this person is. From the beginning, he is not Ak-bi. He’s clumsy at gathering information.

The appearance of the unknown individual is something he has never seen before.

He knows the positions and appearances of masters who have reached Hyun-kyung but has no information about him.

Wouldn’t Ak-bi have known? He was shady and had a hobby of collecting the corpses of masters. He was also thoroughly aware of living masters.

But he is dead. He heard the news from Reverse Heaven. While causing trouble in Shaolin, he was eventually killed by a member of the Lord.

He was also told that the Martial Alliance Inspector was involved at that time… but his ability was deemed so poor that there was no merit in recognizing him.

Now, not being able to expect Ak-bi’s help, he has only one place to lean on.

The only martial artist with ties within Reverse Heaven. His direct superior.

“…….”

He doesn’t want to contact him. Considering his previous dealings with the Demon Cult, his methods and his are completely misaligned.

But still, contacting him… must be right.

One thing can be done somehow. It would actually be for the better. That one thing will balance Sado Clan and Cheonryong Association.

But not two.

A Hyun-kyung master cannot win without preparation, and it’s clear they would certainly be at a loss in a full-scale battle.

The only fortunate thing is that the report does not mention ‘Heart Sword.’ Perhaps the opponent is just a form of an unyielding monster.

In any case, he must submit the report first. The fact that he needs his power is clearly defined.

A martial artist unmatched by himself.

The power of the one once called ‘Seven Devils’ in the Heavenly Demon Sect, known as the Six Reverses… is needed now.

Yeong-wol glanced at the subordinate waiting for a response. He arrogantly nodded his head, just like the Master of Sado.

“So?”

“…Yes?”

“Are you telling me that the General of Sado Clan fears advancing just because of one martial artist?”

“Th-that’s… If the opponent truly is a Hyun-kyung master, the human casualties will be unimaginable…”

“Go tell Song Nam-cheon to relay the message. To do what we do best.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

The opponent is strong.

But that doesn’t mean they need to stop the war.

In the first place, Sado Clan is stronger than Cheonryong Association…

In this case, it’s enough to reduce their strength.

It would be more appropriate to proceed like this until he arrives.

“Insufficient skill compensated by nearness to death. Isn’t that what we do best?”

Periodically weakening all factions for controllable order.

That was one of the tasks of Reverse Heaven.

After all, if someone has to die…

So does Sado Clan.

…

They lost a master.

The number exceeded a hundred simply. Not only that. Countless peak masters, including those they boasted about, have also been lost.

If you count in the first-rate warriors caught in between, the number of casualties exceeds two or three hundred.

The important thing is that each of them is a master.

What kind of nonsense is this? Song Nam-cheon swallowed a dry chuckle. He could feel deeply that he himself could not do that.

An opponent who seems like they won’t die. He had to escape as if fleeing because he couldn’t see the end.

One can beat many?

That could be true. He certainly thinks so.

But having that unit exceed a hundred is nonsensical. They’re not commoners who haven’t learned the sword; a coalition of peak and ultimate masters was ultimately unable to take them down…

Unless the Lord of Cheonryong comes forward, it really is nonsensical.

“……”

“……”

The heads of the various factions gathered inside the tent fell silent. Song Nam-cheon also couldn’t easily voice out.

They need to devise a new strategy but couldn’t figure out where to start. Even the masters of Huaxing gathered here numbered four…

They all felt unworthy to confront that person.

“…We… can bind his steps…”

“One will break on the first attack. The remaining three can launch a counterattack, but who will be the first to step forward?”

“The strongest among us should go first, yes?”

“Are you insane?! If the General dies, who will lead us? I’m not confident! Troops are still gathering; what is this…!”

Sudden voices rising begin to infight, not dismantling the enemy.

“Let’s just push forward with manpower!”

“That’s not right! General! That person’s sword is likely a formidable weapon against the weak! Didn’t you see the power of that great sword?! Clearly, we’d be swept away unreasonably!”

“If so, are we suggesting to run away now?! Are we just going to retreat because we couldn’t beat one opponent?! The world will laugh at Sado Clan!”

“You brat! What kind of phrase is that?! What’s wrong with suggesting we wait! The report has reached Sado Clan! Surely, there’ll be masters from our side who will come to support! What’s wrong with waiting for them to arrive?!”

“What about the supplies for the amassed army?! Troops gathering now can’t be sustained without plundering! The general assault we’re conducting was intended for plundering resources in the territory of the Cheonryong Association in the first place! Do we know when those masters from our side will arrive?! Most available masters have been dispatched to other fronts! They’re pushing up from the Guangxi side!”

“Shouldn’t we just invest more manpower to push through?! We made a mistake in our calculations! If we attack recklessly, the enemy too might be overwhelmed by the pressure!”

“Haven’t we just witnessed it?! It could lead to an irrecoverable mistake! What if that person truly can’t die?! If they hide there swinging their sword, how many will end up dead?! We could lose more than half the forces amassed to breach a single fortress!”

“Isn’t that an overestimation?! You seem frightened! Old man!”

“Hey! A pest sees only pests, yet you’ve had the audacity to throw your sword around all this time and haven’t even seen the true power of that sword!”

“Are you done talking?!”

It’s chaos. But Song Nam-cheon felt no mood to dare intervene.

It’s tangled up. Suddenly feeling like a Hyun-kyung master had fallen before him. While it’s right to drain them down in a war of attrition if there’s no common master…

He has no certainty. At the same time, he has no confidence to withstand the blood they will see.

How much will die? Or should they have hit harder earlier? But it felt as though they still had strength left…

He couldn’t understand. Just where did such a martial artist drop down from?

If only Heart Sword wasn’t used, how is this difference from the Lord of Cheonryong abruptly appearing?

“…….”

The uproar continued for several days. Song Nam-cheon hesitated. Meanwhile, he awaited a response from the Master of Sado.

The trained cavalry must be galloping hard. And from there, a messenger will come with documents.

The Master would likely come personally. At least the subordinate, First Sword of Sapa, should be sent.

If that’s the case, a chance emerges. A powerful person just before breaking into Hyun-kyung. If they were present, wouldn’t they secure a definite advantage?

Not being able to do anything, as blood supplies steadily tightened around him, Song Nam-cheon finally received the long-desired answer.

However, there were neither First Sword of Sapa nor Master of Sado by the side of the arrived messenger.

Just a single document remained.

“What does it say?”

“…….”

He is a follower. A subordinate who follows orders.

But…

Should he dare follow this command?

He sets the document down unsure. Rubbing his face with both hands, he whispers.

“…We will deploy before the main force of the Cheonryong Association arrives at the fortress.”

“Th-then what about the reinforcements…”

“None.”

More blood than he saw that day will flow.

Song Nam-cheon drew his sword. He reflected upon himself in the blade.

…This time.

He too must stand on the battlefield.

To stop him.

“We’ll break through together. Inform everyone to begin preparations for departure.”