However, what felt even more intense was the aura emanating from the boy’s body.

“For a young brat, you’re quite strong to the point of being impudent.”

At the man’s words, the boy was seen pulling up one corner of his mouth. That expression looked strangely annoying.

“You look like a young brat too. At most, you appear to be in your late teens.”

If Nam Gung Lin had seen this, she would have been impressed. Thinking, it’s possible for a person to look so annoying with just one expression.

The boy, Ji Cheon Wu, tilted his head. He had come to stop the Cruel Sword after hearing Nam Gung Lin’s words.

The man before his eyes was still in a state of not having shed his youthful appearance.

But Nam Gung Lin had warned him.

“That guy, in a few years, he’ll become unbelievably strong.”

“To what extent?”

“Enough to trouble you.”

It was possible for a martial artist to suddenly gain enlightenment and become stronger in a few years.

It was also common to say that a talented martial artist would ‘become stronger’.

‘That’s probably not what Lin meant.’

Lin’s words were literally talking about the future.

Having observed Nam Gung Lin for five years, Ji Cheon Wu could understand. When she said someone would become stronger, it meant they would literally become stronger.

“It’s not like Lin can’t beat him though…”

Saying that, Ji Cheon Wu tilted his head. The person standing at the boundary between boy and man before his eyes was certainly strong.

Many martial artists would exclaim in shock if told he had reached such a level at the age of late teens.

But it wasn’t a level that Nam Gung Lin couldn’t defeat.

‘It’s probably because she doesn’t want anyone to get hurt. If she borrows the old man’s power.’

Ji Cheon Wu liked that aspect of Nam Gung Lin. Nam Gung Lin was a kind child.

She was being considerate so that the people of the medical hall wouldn’t get hurt.

She had also grasped Ji Cheon Wu’s abilities surprisingly well.

Ji Cheon Wu raised his sword and pointed it at the person before him.

Nam Gung Lin’s words had never been wrong before.

“Ji Cheon Wu, that patient lying in the medical hall. In the future, he becomes a demon lord who kills countless people.”

This time too, her words became reality. Just by listening to what the guy was saying now, Ji Cheon Wu could immediately grasp what kind of person he was.

In other words, a guy who shouldn’t be left alive.

“You know, gratitude exists to be repaid.”

“What are you saying?”

“I know because I’ve received kindness before. When people show kindness, you should be grateful, I’ve never seen such an arrogant case like you.”

It was actually true.

Ji Cheon Wu disliked the man before his eyes even more because of this.

It reminded him of Nam Gung Lin, who had warmly extended her hand to him. He couldn’t forget her kindness.

“I once met a certain demon lord in the past.”

“…”

“He called me a monster. He said if I wasn’t of the Nine Yin Skeleton Vein, he would have killed me right away.”

Kill the enemy before they become strong.

It was a plausible saying.

Nam Gung Lin didn’t agree with those words. But seeing the guy before her eyes now, she thought there was some value in using their methods to some extent.

This guy clearly hadn’t killed Doctor Shin yet.

But Ji Cheon Wu had heard the nonsense he was spouting.

“I know that guy’s words were bullshit, but. In a case like this, it seems to be right.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m thinking I should finish you off with my own hands before you kill others.”

Ji Cheon Wu’s sword quickly slashed at the man’s arm. To be precise, it was the arm of the man grabbing Doctor Shin’s collar.

The man had no choice but to let go of Doctor Shin’s collar.

“You, don’t you care about hostages at all?”

“If I lose because of a hostage, it’s meaningless anyway. You said you’d kill everyone.”

“You’re insane.”

“That’s my line.”

Saying that, Ji Cheon Wu signaled to Doctor Shin with his eyes. Doctor Shin quickly retreated behind Ji Cheon Wu’s back.

“I’m a bit curious, you know, how much stronger I’ve become in five years. It’s been hard to tell because I haven’t had any worthy opponents.”

The man gulped.

In fact, he couldn’t gauge the level of the boy before his eyes.

“For five years, I’ve just been getting beaten by that monster-like person.”

Nam Gung Lin had asked him to buy time. She said she would quickly deal with the small fry and come back.

Ji Cheon Wu also agreed with her opinion. Although his skills were similar to Nam Gung Lin’s, the situation was different with ‘that person’ around.

Nam Gung Lin didn’t usually use that person, but it was different in emergencies.

‘Especially with people’s lives at stake, she’ll hurry even more.’

It meant there wasn’t much time left for him to show his skills. In fact, Ji Cheon Wu wasn’t confident he could win.

“You should consider yourself lucky. That you met me early, I mean.”

Before I become even stronger.

Ji Cheon Wu said that as he took a step forward.

[This is the timeline separator]

I had no intention of dragging out time for long. As soon as I opened the door, a black-clad person appeared.

Shin So Kyung said she had saved five people. This was clearly one of them.

He was holding a sword.

Our eyes met.

In his hand was Ryeong Ah, the child that Shin So Kyung had treated earlier today. The black-clad person was covering Ryeong Ah’s mouth.

Words were unnecessary.

The guy’s sword tried to slash at my neck.

‘So you came to deal with Shin So Kyung.’

To show her to Doctor Shin, that is.

‘And you were going to show Shin So Kyung Ryeong Ah’s demise.’

I lamented.

There were too many scumbags in the martial arts world. And they were unbearable scumbags at that.

Originally, Ji Cheon Wu would have blocked this black-clad person.

He would have somehow blocked the guy and barely managed to hide with Shin So Kyung.

Ryeong Ah would ultimately not be saved.

It was also one of the main causes of Shin So Kyung’s corruption. Knowing this, I decided to quickly deal with the small fry rather than face the Cruel Sword.

‘The current Ji Cheon Wu is much stronger than the original one.’

Remembering this fact, I felt reassured. I had been worried if I had sent him on a dangerous path for the safety of others.

[That guy isn’t weak enough for you to worry about. He’s probably beating the enemy to a pulp right now.]

The black-clad person who had crossed swords with me a few times muttered in bewilderment.

“Could it be, the Ghost Sword?”

“…”

“Could it be you, the Ghost Sword?”

Ghost Sword, huh. That title again.

[Ahem!]

Following the Hideous Face Asura, I had disposed of the Blood-Sucking Twin Demons. The Murim Alliance thought the one who disposed of the Hideous Face Asura and the Blood-Sucking Twin Demons was the same person.

Since then, the martial arts world called me the Ghost Sword.

It was a title based on my unknown identity, meaning ‘Ghost’s Sword’.

After that, I had many encounters with Ji Cheon Wu over five years. It was natural for a title to be attached.

After several incidents, the martial artists had a slight grasp of my appearance.

‘Of course, they’re mistaken.’

A short old man, the Ghost Sword.

I went around wearing a mask and disguising my voice.

From the start, those who saw my incredible martial arts skills would have found it difficult to think of me as a child.

‘When acting as the Ghost Sword, Uncle Dagger moved my body, so the behavior was that of an old man itself.’

The black-clad person exclaimed in confusion.

“Why are you here? You who never left Anhui Province!”

My body was currently being moved by Uncle Dagger. Uncle Dagger sneered at the black-clad person.

[There are too many scumbags in the world. I just came out for a stroll.]

The black-clad person held a knife to Ryeong Ah’s neck. Taking hostages was a familiar occurrence. The Blood Cult guys often used hostages.

It was then.

“Miss Lin?”

When Shin So Kyung’s voice was heard.

The black-clad person must have also noticed her coming here.

I was aware of it too.

Shin So Kyung’s eyes were filled with shock. It was a scene I had often seen in the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Ji Cheon Wu had also been in this situation before.

“If you come closer, I’ll kill her!”

Uncle Dagger sneered.

[How ridiculous.]

Uncle Dagger rushed straight at the black-clad person. Knowing the Blood Cult’s methods well, there was no hesitation in Uncle Dagger’s actions.

In the Heavenly Demon Cult, Ji Cheon Wu ultimately fails to save Ryeong. He listened to the black-clad person and didn’t approach Ryeong, but the black-clad person eventually doesn’t let Ryeong live anyway.

That was the Blood Cult’s way.

It was also why I didn’t send Ji Cheon Wu here.

‘Ji Cheon Wu has become stronger, but he’s developed a softer personality than in the original.’

[He’s not particularly kind, but your thought is correct. I’m more suitable for this task than him.]

A soft personality was a big weakness for a martial artist.

‘At least when dealing with the Blood Cult, compassion isn’t important.’

That’s why Uncle Dagger was needed.

Because there was no one who harbored as much hatred for the Blood Cult as him.

Before Shin So Kyung could scream, Uncle Dagger’s sword had pierced the black-clad person’s neck.

“Sa… save me…”

The black-clad person died without even being able to scream.

I saw Shin So Kyung running quickly. She embraced Ryeong with a shocked face.

“Oh my, Ryeong Ah.”

“Waaah, sister!”

I looked at Ryeong and Shin So Kyung with a strange expression.

[You said this child was going to die?]

‘Yes, she was originally destined to die here.’

But Ryeong was alive.

Shin So Kyung also looked shocked, but she didn’t lose her senses like she did in the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Rather, she quickly grasped the situation and was looking at me with a hardened face.