The Blood Deity clicked his tongue.

He looked at the man in front of him with dissatisfaction. He had hoped for a possibility this time, but the man had no intention of moving.

‘My lonely suffering can’t be wrong.’

It was clear that the man in front of him, Nam Gung Hyun, was feeling intense pain.

Yet, he was enduring that loneliness with his own will.

‘This is useless.’

With that thought, the Blood Deity kicked Nam Gung Hyun.

Even though he must have felt pain, the man’s face remained expressionless.

Even that displeased the Blood Deity.

“This fellow is ultimately useless. He survived and came back alone again. All the fellows sent with him died.”

Nam Gung Hyun had returned to the owner of loneliness. The black-robed man in front of the Blood Deity prostrated himself and shouted.

“The Sect Leader said you may dispose of him as you wish.”

The Blood Deity’s face lit up.

“Has the Sect Leader finally made up his mind? It seems he has decided to get rid of this useless fellow at last.”

The Blood Deity quietly looked at Nam Gung Hyun’s face.

“But this bastard is too valuable to just let go.”

That was why he had been neglected for so long despite being useless.

The Blood Deity spoke to the black-robed man prostrating before him.

“Did you say the person who saved Baek Jin-wi this time was Nam Gung Lin?”

“Yes, I heard it was Nam Gung Lin and Ji Cheon Wu. That’s why this fellow’s existence was exposed this time.”

The Blood Deity showed a bitter smile.

He felt a strong displeasure towards Nam Gung Lin who had interfered with his plan this time.

“Nam Gung Lin, I’ve been hearing that name often these days. Quite annoying.”

Nam Gung Lin was the late-stage prodigy the Blood Sect was paying the most attention to these days.

‘The Blood Sect suspects Nam Gung Lin is the Demon Sword.’

The Blood Deity looked at Nam Gung Hyun with displeased eyes.

“I should have killed her when she was younger.”

“It’s a pity.”

“It’s a shame to just dispose of him. As you know, this fellow is not only excellent in martial arts but also in utilization value.”

“You mean…”

“Use him to get rid of Nam Gung Lin and then dispose of him.”

The Blood Deity looked at Nam Gung Hyun with a puzzled expression.

‘Strange? It seemed like he reacted just now…’

When Nam Gung Lin’s name was mentioned, he had the illusion that Nam Gung Hyun moved his body.

‘That can’t be.’

He had confidence in his own skills.

[This is the timeline separator]

Several days had passed since my conversation with Grandfather.

Every morning, I was sparring with people. It was to clear my mind.

Nam Gung Yu Cheong’s sword rushed towards me quickly. I blocked his sword without much difficulty.

Clang!

Clang!

The more our swords clashed, the more shocked Nam Gung Yu Cheong’s face became.

“You’re amazing.”

Nam Gung Yu Cheong looked at me in admiration.

He sheathed his sword and wiped his sweat.

“I’m glad we sparred in the morning. I heard you defeated Peng Su-hyeon, but I didn’t expect you to have grown this much.”

“You’ve also become much stronger, elder brother.”

“It’s an embarrassing level.”

As Nam Gung Yu Cheong said that, he turned his gaze.

Servants could be seen hurriedly moving their feet. I asked Nam Gung Yu Cheong.

“The household seems noisy today?”

“Ah, I heard from Mother yesterday. She said a guest had arrived from the Je Gal household.”

“From the Je Gal household?”

Could it be that Je Gal Yu-hui had already visited?

‘I had heard she would visit the household during the gathering.’

At that moment.

“Lady Nam Gung!”

An extremely loud voice was heard and someone pounced on me. As I expected, the owner of the voice was Je Gal Yu-hui.

I cupped my hands and bowed my head.

“It’s been a while.”

Behind Je Gal Yu-hui, Je Gal Yu Ryong could be seen. He was looking at me with a kind smile.

“It has been a while for me too, Lady Nam Gung.”

“…”

“You seem to have become even stronger. Beyond my expectations.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Je Gal Yu Ryong and I headed to the residence together.

It was at his request to have a private conversation.

“You’ve done quite a lot of things in the meantime.”

At Je Gal Yu Ryong’s words, I showed an embarrassed smile.

It was true that I had done many things, as he said.

“My father came to meet the Nam Gung Clan Leader, so I accompanied him.”

“Your grandfather?”

“Yes, the two of them have been sharing a long-standing friendship.”

“…”

“I heard Great Hero Nam Gung Hyun has been afflicted by loneliness.”

My hand holding the teacup stiffened.

I didn’t expect Je Gal Yu Ryong to bring up that topic.

Je Gal Yu Ryong continued.

“Do you know of the Blood Deity?”

The Blood Deity. He had appeared a few times in Heavenly Demon’s Descent as well.

He was someone who held a considerably important position in the Blood Sect.

He was skilled in medicine to the point of being called a deity, and he was also profoundly knowledgeable about poisons.

Was that all?

He was also an outstanding sorcerer well-versed in sorcery.

“I’ve heard of him.”

“That person is committing various evil deeds under the authority of the Blood Sect. He’s likely the main culprit behind the loneliness technique. Everyone is acting under his command.”

Strength entered my hand holding the teacup.

If I considered Je Gal Yu Ryong’s words, the one who made my father like that was also the Blood Deity.

“I believe there’s a reason you’re telling me this.”

“Great Hero Nam Gung Hyun probably doesn’t have much time left.”

At that moment.

I felt heat rising to the top of my head.

It wasn’t because of Je Gal Yu Ryong. It was because of my anger towards the Blood Sect. Je Gal Yu Ryong’s face was expressionless.

“We have discovered the location of the Blood Deity. That’s why my father urgently made his move.”

“You know where the Blood Deity is?”

“The Blood Deity is not far from the Nam Gung household. I was told he was found at Je Un Mountain.”

Je Gal Yu Ryong spoke in a resolute tone.

“It’s a trap.”

I put down the teacup.

“There must be a reason you’re telling me this even though it’s a trap.”

“As I mentioned, it’s because there isn’t much time left.”

I tightly closed my eyes.

“How long can my father endure?”

“The person I know would never commit murder. He will continue to refuse the orders of loneliness. And based on the Blood Sect’s actions so far, they won’t leave Great Hero Nam Gung Hyun like that.”

[That fellow is enduring abnormally long.]

I couldn’t utter a single word.

It was because the image of my suffering father came to mind.

For my father to escape loneliness, he had to reach the same realm as Dagger Uncle. Otherwise, he would die.

Isn’t it too horrible?

Even Dagger Uncle, a genius who would astonish the world, took a long time to escape loneliness.

‘That’s why he vowed to send off those afflicted by loneliness with his own hands.’

[Get a hold of yourself, Lin.]

At Dagger Uncle’s shout, I was able to regain my senses.

‘Je Gal Yu Ryong isn’t someone who brings up unnecessary topics.’

I met eyes with Je Gal Yu Ryong.

“There is a way for the Blood Deity to break the loneliness technique.”

“…”

“But the probability of this also being a trap is high.”

“The experts won’t be able to move either.”

“Yes, because it’s a trap.”

Only a small number of people could move.

Je Gal Yu Ryong blatantly told me it was a trap.

“The eyes of the Blood Sect are everywhere. If Clan Leader Nam Gung or other experts make a move, the Blood Deity will quickly flee.”

“…”

“Isn’t it too coincidental? The Blood Deity appearing at Je Un Mountain. And blatantly revealing his whereabouts. Just in time for Lady Nam Gung to discover her father’s existence.”

Je Gal Yu Ryong’s eyes shone.

“And yet, you’re telling me this.”

“It seemed like Lady Nam Gung would want that.”

Je Gal Yu Ryong was right.

I was thinking that I was fortunate he told me about it now.

“Among those I know, the one who hides the most power is Lady Nam Gung. You have never revealed your true strength even once.”

“…”

“And that you’re hiding something more. The enemy has set a trap, but the same goes for this side.”

Je Gal Yu Ryong was a smart person.

The destination was set.

I cupped my hands towards Je Gal Yu Ryong.

[This is the timeline separator]

I had planned to leave alone.

After hearing it was a trap, I had no desire to bring anyone else.

[There are fellows who can’t leave you alone.]

I thought I would have to climb over the wall of the Nam Gung household…

Ji Cheon Wu was guarding the wall of the Nam Gung household.

I was dumbfounded.

Is this fellow really not returning to the demon sect?

“Ji Cheon Wu, go back already.”

“Where to?”

“Where you should be.”

“It’s here though.”

“No, isn’t your Sect Leader saying anything? Aren’t you staying outside for too long?”

“I told you. The old Sect Leader told me to go play to my heart’s content.”

I shook my head at Ji Cheon Wu’s impure tone.

“And it’s also what the old Sect Leader wants.”

“What he wants?”

“Our Sect Leader also dislikes those guys, the Blood Sect.”

“What does that have to do with following me?”

Ji Cheon Wu shrugged his shoulders.

“You always uncannily knew where those fellows would appear. Even now, sneaking out is suspicious.”

Saying that, Ji Cheon Wu stood beside me. Just like in the past, as if we were together.

“So I won’t leave your side. As you said, I have no choice but to follow our Sect Leader’s orders.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar voice was heard.

“Lady Nam Gung!”

Sin So-gyeong was standing with a load of luggage on her back.

Dang Hwa-ryeong was also beside Sin So-gyeong in that state.

I looked at Ji Cheon Wu.

He was shrugging his shoulders with a nonchalant face. As if he knew nothing!

[That fellow, he definitely knew those kids were following. And he purposely let himself be tailed.]

Sure enough, Sin So-gyeong shouted as if tattling.

“Ji Cheon Wu was hurrying to go somewhere!”

“It’s obvious where that fellow is going.”

My heart inexplicably grew warm.