If someone from the government comes, the matter will be resolved more easily than now. However, if the prisoner who had been tight-lipped until now even so much as mentions that heresy is involved in this affair, it will become irreversible.

‘Just being associated with heresy would be damning enough. No, it would be more than damning.’

Although heresy is not very active in the Jianghu, their mere existence is problematic, isn’t it? Even ordinary civilians who have nothing to do with the Jianghu would find it difficult if involved with them.

This was because everyone who knew the reality that their power couldn’t be ignored was aware of it.

Of course, according to Ha Hyun, the shaman himself claimed he had nothing to do with the Black Heavenly Gate….

‘I can’t entirely trust the words of a villain who harms a child.’

It’s not that he doubted Ha Hyun’s words, but that he questioned the possibility that the shaman had lied to Ha Hyun.

Of course, if that were the case, the issue of whether that shaman was really a heretic from the start was something else to consider. However, he couldn’t afford to take the risk that it might actually be true.

Yoo Sung continued his thoughts, unaware to the end that his disciple was too old to be called a child.

‘I wonder if he’s continuously blaming himself for losing that tender-hearted kid.’

His talent was exceptionally outstanding, yet at the same time, he was the sort of person who wasn’t heartless, which everyone in the Volcano Sect knew. Remembering the sulky expression he had before his blood was fully cultivated, Yoo Sung let out another sigh. At that moment, Dan Joo spoke.

“I never thought you would be thinking about such matters, I am sorry for causing you concern.”

Yoo Sung, finally snapping out of his own thoughts, was startled and responded.

“No, not at all. You don’t need to think that way. On the contrary, I feel regretful for not being able to help you more.”

“What do you mean not able to help? If the dojo masters hadn’t been here, we wouldn’t have been able to fend off the attack properly, and we wouldn’t even be trying to apprehend the intruders to understand the situation. Moreover, all my children have regained consciousness now, so you don’t know how relieved I am.”

Dan Joo, who was faintly smiling, was definitely more stable than he had been a few days ago. Yoo Sung nodded his head and continued the conversation.

“I heard that your eldest son, Sung Gongja, has also woken up. How is his health?”

“There are no problems, I heard. He’s just weakened, so if he rests well, he’ll regain his health soon.”
“Immeasurable Buddha, fortunate indeed.”

“Yes. Above all, the truth is that guy…”

Yuseong suddenly hesitated while quietly listening to Danju’s ongoing words.

“Hm?”

As Yuseong tensed his body, Danju also stopped talking and opened his eyes wide. Yuseong gestured to Danju to be quiet, then focused his attention on the movements outside the door.

From the corridor outside the room where they were, someone’s presence was approaching.

‘…Not a martial artist?’

The tension was momentary. Yuseong realized that the footsteps of the approaching presence did not belong to someone who had properly trained in martial arts, and tilted his head in momentary confusion.

The attempt to suppress the sound of footsteps seemed futile, given that Yuseong had already detected them. Danju, who was beside him, still appeared clueless, but Yuseong was not fooled.

‘Then who is it?’

While he felt he could restrain them without drawing his sword, Yuseong placed his hand on the hilt of his blade just in case. Then, sticking to the wall so as not to cast a shadow in the corridor, he approached the door.

The presence came increasingly closer until…

‘Next room?’

They stopped in front of the room where the prisoner was held.

‘Is a non-martial artist infiltrating to rescue that prisoner? Are there more collaborators within?’

By then, Danju had also noticed the presence outside. Yuseong briefly looked at Danju, whose expression had turned serious with the same questions in mind, and grabbed the door handle. The moment the outsider stepped into the next room, Yuseong planned to burst out and apprehend them on the spot.

However, things didn’t go as planned.

The mysterious outsider did indeed open the door to the next room as expected, but… immediately after, the prisoner who had been silent for two days blurted out an unexpected word.

“Sage Gongja! You’ve finally come!”

Yuseong, who was about to dash out, stopped and looked back. Danju met his eyes with a pale face.

If their ears hadn’t deceived them, the prisoner had clearly said ‘Sage Gongja.’

This meant that one of Danju’s two sons was sneaking into the room where the prisoner was being held late at night. And what’s more, recognizing each other as if they were already acquainted.

The room where the prisoner was confined had been soundproofed with wooden walls and sealed windows.