With the numerous warriors behind him, it was a feat that could be sufficiently accomplished. They were individuals specially created by the Blood Demons to deal with skilled masters.

‘Even if it costs me my life, I will make sure to kill those bastards.’

Today, his goal was not the annihilation of the Nam Gung Clan, but to inflict as much damage upon them as possible.

‘Nam Gung Lin, that wench must be happy right now.’

Nam Gung Hwa Su had also heard the news of Nam Gung Hyun’s return. He did not know how someone struck by the Lonely Poison managed to return, but it did not matter.

Originally, losing something again just when you thought you had regained it was even more agonizing.

“Deal with Nam Gung Hyun and Nam Gung Lin. You may kill anything that gets in the way.”

It was at that moment when he spoke those words.

Suddenly sensing someone’s presence, Nam Gung Hwa Su turned his head and narrowed his eyes.

The man’s appearance seemed familiar to him. Soon, Nam Gung Hwa Su let out a loud roar of fury.

“You beggar bastard, why are you here?!”

Nam Gung Hwa Su still vividly remembered the day he was driven out of the Nam Gung Clan.

He also had not forgotten the face of the man who had thrown the head of the Scarred Lion Bandit before him.

Ji Cheon Wu stood with his arms crossed, gazing at Nam Gung Hwa Su.

Beside Ji Cheon Wu stood a woman he had never seen before. Ji Cheon Wu frowned as he looked at Nam Gung Hwa Su.

“Don’t shout. Everyone is sleeping, so it’s noisy.”

The woman standing next to him, Shin So Kyung, nodded her head as if agreeing with Ji Cheon Wu’s words.

“That’s right. I was woken up from my sleep because of you. If you wake up Young Lady Nam Gung as well, I won’t let it slide.”

Saying that, Shin So Kyung yawned.

It was an action that conveyed composure.

“How are you bastards here?”

In response to Nam Gung Hwa Su’s question, Ji Cheon Wu shrugged his shoulders.

“Little Lin told me. That your actions are too predictable. Even after all this time, your simple nature hasn’t changed.”

Nam Gung Hwa Su gnashed his teeth in anger.

“You seem to have a clear fate.”

There was no trace of the beggar who had seemed somewhat pitiful at the Nam Gung Clan.

Ji Cheon Wu had become a completely different person from the one he knew. Putting aside his dignified appearance, that imposing aura was astonishing.

Moreover, his appearance resembling a noble young master contrasted with Nam Gung Hwa Su’s current beggar-like state.

Nam Gung Hwa Su suddenly felt a reversal of fortunes.

‘I heard he became the disciple of Cheon Ma.’

He had heard that Ji Cheon Wu was rapidly growing stronger to the point of threatening Ak Wi Cheon. Nam Gung Hwa Su felt his insides twisting.

He did not like the fact that those who had taken away the Nam Gung name from him were living better than anyone else.

Nam Gung Hwa Su turned around.

“I will handle this fellow, go!”

The black-clothed individuals, understanding his command, quickly began to move.

Nam Gung Hwa Su smiled cynically.

It was because Ji Cheon Wu showed no intention of moving.

“Are you perhaps afraid?”

In response to Nam Gung Hwa Su’s question, Ji Cheon Wu asked back in disbelief.

“Afraid?”

“Yes, seeing that you’re not moving, I thought you might have gotten scared!”

“Why would I be?”

Ji Cheon Wu appeared at ease.

Nam Gung Hwa Su disliked even that attitude of his. He remembered Ji Cheon Wu’s appearance, unable to even raise his head before him.

The sight of the man who had been stepped on by his feet, writhing in pain, now showing such an arrogant face.

Ji Cheon Wu slowly opened his mouth towards Nam Gung Hwa Su.

“We have matters to settle between us. Don’t we?”

When leaving the Nam Gung Clan, there was one thing he regretted.

It was not being able to properly take revenge on Nam Gung Hwa Su, who had threatened his life.

Soon, Ji Cheon Wu blocked Nam Gung Hwa Su’s path.

“Lady Shin, run far away!”

“I already ran away. Don’t worry about me.”

Ji Cheon Wu let out a hollow laugh upon seeing Shin So Kyung’s location. She had already escaped to a distant place.

Shin So Kyung spoke with a shameless face.

“If I get hurt, Young Lady Nam Gung will be sad.”

Ji Cheon Wu shrugged his shoulders.

Indeed, it was better for Shin So Kyung not to be here right now. A red aura began to surge from Nam Gung Hwa Su’s body.

‘That fellow is strong.’

Even at a glance, an exceptional aura could be felt.

Ji Cheon Wu spoke while looking at Nam Gung Hwa Su.

“You have let go of everything.”

“……”

“Did you perhaps consume the Lonely Poison?”

“What if I did?”

“Are you moving by force?”

“That’s not it. I came here of my own will to take revenge on you bastards!”

Saying that, Nam Gung Hwa Su distorted his face and showed a bizarre smile. Ji Cheon Wu smelled a strong scent of blood from Nam Gung Hwa Su.

There were reasons for Nam Gung Hwa Su’s confidence.

He glared at Ji Cheon Wu and shouted.

“You dragged me into this abyss and have been living well.”

“You tried to kill me first.”

As expected, Nam Gung Hwa Su did not even consider his own wrongdoings.

“Shut up!”

Nam Gung Hwa Su rushed towards Ji Cheon Wu while saying that. Ji Cheon Wu narrowed his eyes.

It was because of the red aura clinging to Nam Gung Hwa Su’s sword.

‘It’s not the Nam Gung’s sword.’

Clang!

The moment their swords clashed, Ji Cheon Wu realized that Nam Gung Hwa Su’s strength was considerable.

Above all, there was one thing that made him momentarily startled.

‘An immense internal energy.’

Ji Cheon Wu’s eyes darkened.

It was not difficult to guess where the bastard’s internal energy came from.

‘They say blood never dries in places where the Blood Cult has passed through.’

Nam Gung Hwa Su had lost a significant amount of internal energy when he was driven out of the Nam Gung Clan.

The Nam Gung Clan did not destroy his dantian, but they took measures to make him lose the internal energy he had accumulated through the Nam Gung martial arts.

In other words, he had become a body without internal energy. Yet now, he possessed exceptional internal energy to the point of startling Ji Cheon Wu for a moment.

That meant he had built up his internal energy through abnormal means.

Clang! Clang!

The aura emanating from Nam Gung Hwa Su was sinister. Furthermore, his sword contained a villainous energy.

Nam Gung Hwa Su, aiming for Ji Cheon Wu’s heart, moved his sword.

Ji Cheon Wu narrowly dodged Nam Gung Hwa Su’s sword. However, Nam Gung Hwa Su showed a triumphant smile.

At that moment, Shin So Kyung screamed.

“Behind you!”

Ji Cheon Wu turned around.

A black-clothed man wearing a black mask was trying to thrust his sword into Ji Cheon Wu’s back.

However, the black-clothed man’s sword did not reach Ji Cheon Wu.

Slash!

With blood splattering, the arm of the black-clothed man who tried to attack Ji Cheon Wu was severed. Ji Cheon Wu’s gaze slowly rose.

“Being careless, you still have a long way to go.”

The appearance of the man who appeared while fluttering a black cloak was familiar.

Ji Cheon Wu sighed deeply.

He answered in a blunt tone.

“I could have blocked it even if you hadn’t helped.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ji Cheon Wu sliced off the neck of the black-clothed man who had attacked him.

Slash!

Ji Cheon Wu looked at the man before him with a dissatisfied expression. Then he asked.

“Why have you come here?”

Ak Wi Cheon laughed as if it was amusing to see Ji Cheon Wu’s reaction.

“The Sect Leader told me to go to you. To check what kind of mischief you’ve been up to.”

[This is the timeline separator]

There was an intruder.

Nam Gung Hyun’s eyes darkened.

‘They are individuals specialized in murder.’

It was a very faint presence.

A presence so weak that if he had not reached the realm, he would not have noticed it. They were moving very cautiously and stealthily.

There weren’t many who could dare to attack the Nam Gung Clan. And there were also few who had subordinates of this level of skill.

Murderous intent filled his eyes.

It seemed he knew the purpose they were targeting. They were approaching the direction of Nam Gung Lin’s residence.

Nam Gung Hyun carefully placed his hand on his sword.

He did not want to wake his sleeping daughter.

Hadn’t Nam Gung Lin fallen into a deep sleep late at night?

‘Excellent stealth techniques.’

There were quite a few individuals whose locations could not be properly identified. Skilled assassins were individuals that even masters had to be wary of.

Unless there was an immense difference in realms, it was not easy to discern their locations.

Nam Gung Hyun’s gaze lowered. He could not allow the assassins to reach Nam Gung Lin’s residence.

Rustle.

The sound of falling leaves could be heard. That’s how much silence had descended upon the situation.

Nam Gung Hyun’s sword pierced the air.

Splash!

With blood splattering, an assassin clad in black from head to toe fell to the ground. However, no screams of pain came from him.

Thus, a silent confrontation began.

Slash!

But Nam Gung Hyun also allowed an attack.

The assassin’s attack tore his clothes.

It was at that moment.

A man’s voice reached his ears.

[Be careful, their swords are coated with a deadly poison. Even a slight graze will result in a fatal wound.]

Nam Gung Hyun did not respond.

[There’s one on the left.]

Nam Gung Hyun’s sword pierced to the left.

His sword was thrust into the heart of one of the hidden assassins.

[Now there’s one behind you.]

Nam Gung Hyun’s brows twitched.

Because just as the voice said, there was an assassin hiding behind him as well. The voice continued.

[One above.] [Tsk tsk, they keep ambushing you like cowards.] [Now there are no more of them left.]

Nam Gung Hyun did not utter a single word in response to the voice that kept talking to him.

Before he knew it, there were corpses all around him.

Originally, as the voice had said, he could have suffered severe injuries.

Because, as mentioned, the assassins’ swords were fundamentally coated with a deadly poison.

If he had not known their locations, he might have been seriously wounded. To the point where he could not guarantee his life.

[After making Lin wait, your skills are still remarkable.]

Upon hearing Nam Gung Lin’s name, Nam Gung Hyun responded for the first time.

“Who are you?”