Admiration filled people’s eyes.

“Je Gal Yu Ryong’s skill in judging martial artists is truly exceptional.”

“Of course, she’s the Nam Gung young lady who won the All-Under-Heaven Competition. He spotted a budding talent from early on.”

Some people also addressed me directly.

“Nam Gung young lady, I’ve really wanted to meet you.”

“You don’t attend the All-Under-Heaven Academy and remain in seclusion, so I was very curious about what kind of person you are.”

There was a lot of conversation for a while.

Ji Cheon Wu also did not emit a frightening aura towards those approaching me.

‘Does he know I came here with a purpose?’

In any case, it wasn’t bad.

I smiled gently as I interacted with people.

[This is the timeline separator]

It was still early in the evening.

I walked slowly.

My body temperature had risen from sharing drinks with people, but I didn’t bother using my inner energy to expel it.

I suddenly stopped in my tracks when I saw a certain person.

“Ji Cheon Wu.”

I saw Ji Cheon Wu slowly turn around at my call.

“You came out first?”

“I knew you’d come. You like looking at stars.”

Indeed, I often used to look at stars even at the Nam Gung family estate.

I enjoyed talking while stargazing with Ji Cheon Wu too.

‘Seeing him like this, it doesn’t feel so unfamiliar.’

Perhaps it was because it was dark.

Ji Cheon Wu, who looked completely different during the day, now felt familiar.

I sat down at the base of a tree.

Ji Cheon Wu also sat down next to me without hesitation.

“I didn’t expect you to come to the Five Great Families’ Harmony Meeting.”

“Because you said you were coming.”

Come to think of it, I had sent such a letter.

‘So he came to the Harmony Meeting just because I said I was coming?’

Ji Cheon Wu whispered softly.

“Aren’t you glad to see me?”

“Huh?”

“We met after so long, but you don’t seem happy… I’m really glad to see you.”

I was at a loss for words.

It was because he looked pitiable, like the Ji Cheon Wu of the past.

‘He’s become strong enough for even elder brother Dagger to acknowledge…’

I absolutely must not be fooled.

“No, it’s just that you seem so unfamiliar. So much time has passed.”

At my words, Ji Cheon Wu made an even more pitiful expression. The sight of him looking at me with downcast eyes and somewhat moist eyes tugged at my heartstrings.

[Don’t be fooled by that pitiful act!]

If it weren’t for elder brother Dagger’s shout, I might have fallen for it completely.

Ji Cheon Wu smiled as he looked at me.

“I really worked hard.”

“At the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect?”

“Yes, it was really tough.”

I’m sure it was.

I pressed my lips tightly shut.

It was because I was the one who wanted him to go there, knowing it would be difficult.

‘Because I was afraid.’

Of the future of the martial arts world that would eventually be devoured by the Blood Sect. I didn’t have confidence to handle everything alone without Ji Cheon Wu.

‘I tried to think I could do it…’

I didn’t stop Ji Cheon Wu when he said he would leave for the demonic sect.

“I taught those arrogant guys a lesson and trained risking my life wherever the sect leader sent me.”

I knew that too.

It was something I had often seen in the Heavenly Demon’s Legacy after all.

“But… as I said in my letter, I don’t regret it.”

“You don’t regret it?”

I looked at the scar on Ji Cheon Wu’s chest.

‘That scar must have been from the demonic sect too.’

The Heavenly Demon puts Ji Cheon Wu through many trials. To die or become stronger – that was the fate of a disciple in the demonic sect.

And Ji Cheon Wu survived.

“Because I became stronger. Strong enough to be with you.”

He showed a confidence he didn’t have before leaving for the demonic sect.

[With good reason. This guy has become unbelievably strong.]

Ji Cheon Wu asked me.

“You must have a reason for coming here? You’re not the type to move without a reason.”

I scratched my cheek, feeling somehow embarrassed. There was so much faith in Ji Cheon Wu’s words about me.

He was right.

“I came to assess the Sichuan incident and see if there are any people here connected to the Blood Sect.”

“So did you find anyone suspicious?”

“I found some to an extent… but I’m not certain.”

After hesitating for a moment, I continued.

“But that wasn’t my main purpose.”

“Then what was it?”

“There’s someone I need to save.”

That’s why I had to leave the Harmony Meeting early.

“A really important person…”

[This is the timeline separator]

The man in black looked at the man in front of him.

The man had long black hair reaching his waist. His hair was matted, and his face was so black it was impossible to tell when he had last washed.

So his original appearance was completely unrecognizable.

‘What could the sect leader be thinking?’

He couldn’t possibly understand the mind of one who was like the heavens.

After the incident with the Blood-Sucking Twin Demons, the Blood Demon had neglected that man.

He had left him to live like a beast in a cave.

‘To make such a person move now…’

And for something so trivial at that.

‘Could he be intending to dispose of him this time?’

It was incomprehensible.

“Get up.”

The eyes of the man in black and the man met.

‘What kind of look…’

Though he should have lost his mind, his eyes were fierce.

“You, surely you haven’t regained your senses?”

The man in black laughed despite himself at his own words.

“Right, that’s impossible.”

The man rose following the black-clothed man’s order.

“You’re so slow. Let’s move quickly.”

The two figures disappeared into the darkness.

[This is the timeline separator]

The second day of the Harmony Meeting dawned.

I planned to stay here only until today and then depart for my destination.

‘It lasts for three days in total.’

No one had mentioned the Sichuan incident on the first day, but it would soon be brought up.

After all, this Harmony Meeting was held because of the Sichuan incident in the first place.

‘They must intend to instill a sense of vigilance.’

The emergence of the Blood Sect meant that a bloodstorm would soon sweep through the martial arts world.

The Sichuan incident was the starting point.

I put the food in front of me into my mouth. Dang Hwa Ryeong and Ji Cheon Wu were sitting beside me again this time.

Belying the name Harmony Meeting, they didn’t seem to want to mingle with others.

‘In contrast, Dang Feng is moving about quite diligently.’

If one lacks ability, one must at least have connections.

He was trying hard to form friendships with people from the other Five Great Families.

It was a sight never seen from Dang Hwa Ryeong.

Dang Feng stood before the people.

‘He’s already acting as if he’s become the young lord.’

Dang Feng had not yet become the young lord.

Nevertheless, he was acting as if he were the young lord of the Dang family in front of others, as if showing off.

‘He must want to show others.’

That he, not Dang Hwa Ryeong, will be the one to become the young lord of the Dang family.

“We have gathered here today to strengthen our alliance.”

I looked around.

I was curious about others’ reactions.

“To form friendships with each other and overcome future trials. As you all know, we have suffered the great pain of the Sichuan incident.”

The Sichuan incident…

It referred to the martial artists of the Martial Alliance being killed in an attack by the Blood Sect.

In the process, not only martial artists of the Martial Alliance but many others were killed or injured. The atmosphere among people became solemn.

Dang Feng said with a bright smile.

“For now, let’s laugh and enjoy today. That’s why we created this occasion after all.”

It was then. Elder brother Dagger whispered.

[Look over there.]

I glanced toward the doorway and made a surprised expression.

As Dang Feng finished speaking, I slowly rose from my seat.

‘Could it be…’

[That ‘could it be’ is probably correct.]

‘Is it really the lord of the Dang family?’

[It seems he has come to see his grandsons.]

There was actually no reason to follow him.

He rarely appeared in the Heavenly Demon’s Legacy.

‘In the end, Dang Hwa Ryeong becomes the family head.’

Dang Feng ultimately does not become the family head.

Terribly, Dang Hwa Ryeong kills Peng Yeon Sim and Dang Feng with his own hands.

‘He too had his life threatened after all.’

And that fact tormented Dang Hwa Ryeong even more.

‘Perhaps there’s a way?’

Before Dang Hwa Ryeong falls into such hell. It wasn’t that I intended to do anything.

I just had a strong desire to see the Dang family head with my own eyes.

‘What was the Dang family head thinking when he took no action?’

If he had stepped forward even a little, things might not have turned out this way.

But I ended up losing sight of the old man.

‘Where did he go?’

It was when I was looking around for the Dang family head.

[Don’t be startled!]

As soon as I heard elder brother Dagger’s words, my body began to move on its own.

Thwack!

I glanced to the side.

A hidden weapon had pierced straight through the wall.

My heart pounded.

It wasn’t an attack with killing intent.

But there was no hesitation in the movement.

Then I heard someone’s voice in my ear.

“You followed me like a little rat.”

I slowly turned my head.

As far as I knew, there was only one person in the Dang family who could attack like this, and in a way I couldn’t detect.

I sighed at the sight of the person who appeared.

It was Dang Moon Gi, the head of the Sichuan Dang family.

Dang Moon Gi glared at me.

“Why did you follow me?”

“I just followed because I saw someone watching the Harmony Meeting.”

Dang Moon Gi’s eyes narrowed.

He began to examine me from head to toe.

“You’re a strange child.”

I kept my mouth shut.

“Which family are you from, child?”

“I am Nam Gung Lin.”

“The Nam Gung fellow’s granddaughter. I heard you were exceptional, but you’re strange to this extent.”