Nam Gung Hyun’s mind was silent for a long while, with no response from the voice he had been hearing.

It was because Nam Gung Cheon was contemplating how to introduce himself to Nam Gung Hyun.

Nam Gung Lin’s teacher? Someone who was part of the Nam Gung Clan in the past? But he had committed too many sins in his past to be called by such names.

Thus, Nam Gung Cheon replied like this:

[I am not your enemy.]

‘……’

[You and I likely have the same goal.]

At Nam Gung Cheon’s words, Nam Gung Hyun quietly gazed at the sky. It seemed he would know who the other party was even without being told.

Had he not seen Nam Gung Lin’s sword?

Her sword did not resemble that of anyone else he knew from the Nam Gung Clan.

As a rule, disciples tend to take after their teacher’s sword style.

Until they reach a higher level and develop their own style, that is.

Nam Gung Lin’s swordsmanship did not resemble Nam Gung Jin Cheon’s or Nam Gung So So’s either. Judging from that, Nam Gung Lin must have had a separate teacher.

And if his guess was correct……

The one speaking to him now was likely Lin’s teacher.

“……Thank you.”

At Nam Gung Hyun’s words, Nam Gung Cheon fell silent.

He was at a loss for what to do.

He had never dreamed that Nam Gung Hyun would express gratitude to him.

Receiving thanks from him did not feel bad.

What Nam Gung Cheon said a moment ago was not wrong.

His goal and Nam Gung Hyun’s were the same.

Beyond defeating the Blood Demons, they also shared the same feelings of caring for Nam Gung Lin.

[Ahem. Quickly get moving. I think Lin will be waking up soon. That child dislikes being alone when she wakes from sleep.]

As time passed, he was able to break free from the dagger. However, he deliberately did not tell Nam Gung Lin about that.

He thought she would become anxious if she knew he could leave the dagger.

So it had been a long time since he last conversed with anyone besides Nam Gung Lin.

‘Is it possible to converse with this fellow because he is of Nam Gung blood?’

Nam Gung Cheon felt fortunate. Nam Gung Hyun had the same objective as him.

Above all, he was someone who wished for Nam Gung Lin’s safety.

‘If we can communicate when facing the Blood Cult bastards, it will make Lin a bit safer.’

With that thought, Nam Gung Cheon was surprised at himself. Wasn’t defeating the Blood Cult his greatest purpose?

[Hoho.]

A hollow laugh escaped Nam Gung Cheon.

He realized his heart that had been filled only with hatred had somehow changed.

What was the purpose he had remained in this world for?

Why had he wanted to stay here?

At one point, becoming the best under heaven had been his goal. But after being captured by the Blood Demon and turned into his puppet, revenge became his objective.

So even when his life reached its end, he could not ascend to the heavens.

But now, that purpose was growing hazy.

His heart was still the same as before in one way.

To kill the Blood Demon and take revenge on the Blood Cult.

However, more than that…… there was something he wanted to see more.

He wanted to see Nam Gung Lin’s smiling face.

He wanted to watch over that child growing up and living the way she wished.

Realizing his own wish, Nam Gung Cheon felt a deep sadness wash over him.

Because he knew how difficult it would be to achieve.

[This is the timeline separator]

Nam Gung Hwa Su’s sword was shooting towards Ji Cheon Wu at an uncanny speed.

Ak Wi Cheon stood with Sin So Gyeong, merely watching the scene unfold.

At that moment, Sin So Gyeong asked Ak Wi Cheon:

“Sir Wi Cheon, will it be alright?”

Ak Wi Cheon nodded.

Nam Gung Hwa Su had an unbelievable amount of inner energy, though he was unsure how that came to be.

‘He probably used some evil technique.’

Ak Wi Cheon said to Sin So Gyeong:

“Cheon Wu is strong. And there are times when that fellow becomes especially powerful.”

Saying that, Ak Wi Cheon looked at Ji Cheon Wu. It had been the same in the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Ji Cheon Wu did not care if someone insulted him or not. However, he was known for not letting it slide if any cult member badmouthed Nam Gung Lin.

Ak Wi Cheon did not fully understand the feelings Ji Cheon Wu harbored for Nam Gung Lin.

‘But I can somewhat guess.’

Because he remembered Nam Gung Lin’s appearance at the Gathering of Heroes. So he also turned a blind eye to some extent when Ji Cheon Wu dealt with cult members who insulted Nam Gung Lin too harshly.

The match between Nam Gung Hwa Su and Ji Cheon Wu did not last long.

“Argh!”

Nam Gung Hwa Su screamed and glared at Ji Cheon Wu. Because Ji Cheon Wu’s sword had cut off Nam Gung Hwa Su’s arm, causing it to fall to the ground.

Nam Gung Hwa Su glowered at Ji Cheon Wu with eyes full of venom.

However, Ji Cheon Wu’s gaze remained indifferent.

“You bastard…… you think Nam Gung Lin will be safe?”

“……”

“Do you know who those behind me just now were!”

“……”

“You think that wench can survive? The ones behind you are the best assassins under heaven. The Blood Demon Clan’s specially trained assassin group, the Blood Fiend Squad.”

“Blood Fiend Squad?”

“Killing machines that have lost their reason.”

Nam Gung Hwa Su spoke with a triumphant air.

Although he had been caught by Ji Cheon Wu, the assassins he sent would attack Nam Gung Lin.

She would at least suffer critical injuries!

No matter how skilled a warrior was, it would not be easy to face them.

“If not Nam Gung Lin, even the Azure Dragon Swordsman would be crippled. They have the skills for that!”

Though there was the Azure Dragon Swordsman, it would not be simple for him alone to deal with all of them.

Surely, he would be gravely wounded fighting the assassins and end up on the brink of death.

But Ji Cheon Wu was not worried.

He knew Nam Gung Lin better than anyone else. Including the secret she was hiding.

Ji Cheon Wu stepped on Nam Gung Hwa Su with an expressionless face.

“Aargh!”

The critically injured Nam Gung Hwa Su writhed.

“Is the reason you’re doing this…… for revenge?”

“Revenge?”

“Because I tried to kill you in the past!”

“……Yes, that happened.”

In the past, Nam Gung Hwa Su had tried to kill him, but Ji Cheon Wu did not consider it important.

There had been many people who wanted to kill him until now. Though he did not tell Nam Gung Lin, he had suffered all sorts of hardships after going to the Devil Cult.

There were good people in the Devil Cult, but many disapproved of Ji Cheon Wu suddenly appearing and becoming the Second Young Master.

Among them, had there really been no one who tried to kill Ji Cheon Wu?

Right now, there was only one reason Ji Cheon Wu had stopped Nam Gung Hwa Su.

“You tried to disturb Lin’s sleep.”

“What?”

“You dared to harbor murderous intent towards that child.”

Nam Gung Hwa Su found it absurd.

He grasped his severed arm. Because Ji Cheon Wu was stepping on that spot.

With a deathly pale face, he shouted:

“You damned devil!”

Ji Cheon Wu tilted his head to one side as if not understanding.

“I’m not the devil, you are.”

“Wh-what?”

“You still think you’re a member of the Nam Gung Clan? You committed acts more evil than devils.”

“……”

“How many lives did you take to restore your inner energy?”

At those words, the light vanished from Nam Gung Hwa Su’s eyes.

As if he had lost his mind, he muttered:

“I-it couldn’t be helped. I couldn’t let a lowly wench take over the Nam Gung Clan!”

Without hesitation, Ji Cheon Wu kicked Nam Gung Hwa Su in the stomach.

[This is the timeline separator]

I woke up in the middle of the night.

Suddenly, I had an ominous premonition.

‘Huh……?’

And I realized one thing.

The voice that always spoke to me whenever I woke up was not there.

‘What’s going on?’

I hurriedly searched for the dagger.

The dagger should have been there. Because as always, I had slept with the dagger by my bedside.

‘Mister Dagger?’

The voice of Mister Dagger, who made a fuss every time I opened my eyes, could not be heard.

The kind voice of Mister Dagger who talked to me whenever I woke from a nightmare.

Suddenly, I recalled something Mister Dagger had once said to me.

〈Don’t find it strange even if I disappear one day.〉

〈Why would you disappear, Mister?〉

〈When I accomplish the task I have set out to do, I may vanish as well.〉

〈Is your goal…… to defeat the Blood Demon?〉

〈……Yes, that’s right.〉

Hearing that, I had thought:

Then if the Blood Demon was defeated…… what would happen to Mister Dagger?

No, Mister Dagger had not achieved his goal yet. His objective of defeating the Blood Demon.

So there was no way he could suddenly vanish like this.

I opened the door and left the room.

Thinking I had to find Mister Dagger no matter what, I began to run.

“Lin.”

Someone grabbed my arm.

It was Ji Cheon Wu. I had been so distraught that I did not even notice him catching me.

“Ji Cheon Wu?”

“Thank goodness you’re here. The Azure Dragon Swordsman asked me to bring you.”

Seeing Ji Cheon Wu, I tightened my lips.

Because his body was covered in blood.

That was not all. There was a thick smell of blood in the air.

From this, I could guess what had happened.

‘Someone infiltrated the clan.’

And Ji Cheon Wu had stopped that person.

‘Let’s think rationally.’

If Father had called for me, it was right to go there. Especially after a battle had taken place.

For now, I needed to assess the situation.

I nodded and followed Ji Cheon Wu.

[This is the timeline separator]

I saw my aunt and Nam Gung Yu Cheong waiting in front of the clan’s prison.

My aunt looked at me with a worried expression.

“Lin? Why do you look so pale?”

Ji Cheon Wu was also gazing at me with concern. It seemed my face looked more haggard than I thought.

I replied with a forced smile.

“I’m alright…… First, I need to see Father…….”