The connection was severed.

Hyeol Jung-hyeok ran his fingers through his tangled hair, wearing an expression of irritation.

“Ah, that woman. Unnecessary interference.”

Namgung Ryeo. Jegal Yeon had just turned to look at him when she passed by, catching his attention, and the connection was abruptly cut off.

“My voice reached her.”

Hyeol Jung-hyeok irritably ruffled his hair. Just before the disconnection, the cheerful conversation between Namgung Ryeo and Jegal Yeon echoed in his ears.

‘She seems to be doing well, annoyingly.’

Hyeol Jung-hyeok wasn’t doing well. Even though she had spent just under a month in his room, he couldn’t forget her.

As he sat there absentmindedly, the voice that had been lively before resonated, and when he turned his head, the busy figure preparing food flashed before his eyes. If he lay on the bed, the sweet scent emanating from her seemed to tickle his nose.

‘What is that woman thinking?’

Now, there was no need to know her identity. He only wanted her by his side, even if he had to cut off her ankles.

‘I have to take what I want.’

Even if she gradually lost her cheerful appearance like a withering flower, Hyeol Jung-hyeok only desired the empty shell without a heart.

Thinking of Jegal Yeon, his stomach churned. Hyeol Jung-hyeok clicked his tongue and stood up from his seat.

“Leader, are you coming out?”

“Yes.”

When he came out, his subordinates followed him as if they had been waiting.

Although something happened at the Blood Sect headquarters and it seemed like the Blood Sect was fleeing, in reality, nothing had changed significantly. Instead, colleagues burning with strong determination toward the martial world were born as they lost fellow members.

And they didn’t doubt for a moment that their presence in Sinsan was the cornerstone to dominate the martial world.

The scale was completely different from setting up a temporary shelter with about ten people, like the Damok family that had just arrived. Hyeol Jung-hyeok quickly looked at the top of Sinsan, which had a plausible altar. His subordinates bowed their heads and said, “It’s a good place. It seems good to build a branch here.”

“Well, you need this much energy to summon a deity.”

“At first, I thought it was a scam.”

Summoning a deity was not an easy task. Although he didn’t know why it failed, the statement of Damok Soo, who said that Bakho had actually appeared, came to Hyeol Jung-hyeok’s mind. He twisted his lips at the thought.

“Then, where did the summoned deity disappear to?”

If the summoning had succeeded, it would surely have stayed somewhere.

“He said it was Bakho, right? It would be noticeable with such a large figure. I should look around while staying in Sinsan.”

A tiger confined to just one room wouldn’t wander around freely. If it had been successfully summoned, it would probably stay in Sinsan.

‘I should assume that it failed and be prepared for when it can’t be controlled.’
Hyeol Jung-hyeok was staring at the altar with a serious expression. A subordinate cautiously asked,

“But he’s such an insignificant fellow. Do you really plan to keep him by your side?”

“The teachings of the Blood Sect do not discriminate against people.”

Hyeol Jung-hyeok responded quite like a sect leader. Then, he added with a meaningful tone,

“…But it’s true that he’s annoying.”

Just as he said this, a man with a large build came running from a distance.

“Oh, Leader of the sect.”

It was Damok Su.

The subordinate, who didn’t know Damok Su was approaching, stiffened. Hyeol Jung-hyeok’s clear, extended gaze fell upon Damok Su’s face.

“The journey here must have been quite arduous.”

“Haha, not at all. Since I was called by someone, of course, I had to come.”

Damok Su seemed moved by the warm words of the sect leader worrying about him, but Hyeol Jung-hyeok’s gaze was focused on the purplish bruise spreading toward Damok Su’s Adam’s apple.

‘Who beat him so badly? I’d like to see his face.’

Despite Damok Su’s efforts to cover the bruise, it was vividly apparent in Hyeol Jung-hyeok’s gaze. Hyeol Jung-hyeok clicked his tongue.

‘He doesn’t even know he’s being followed. Such a fool.’

No wonder he roamed around getting beaten on the streets. Hyeol Jung-hyeok wanted to stick out his tongue, but he held back. Damok Su still had some use for him.

Instead, Hyeol Jung-hyeok asked Damok Su,

“Is Danmok-sega still the same?”

“W-well, yes. But he’s a child who doesn’t appreciate his parents’ kindness. He’ll soon deteriorate.”

Danmok-bi. That annoying brat was not only skilled in martial arts but also seemed to have a keen eye for people. That’s probably why he rejected Damok Su.

With undisguised ambition, Damok Su spoke up,

“Before that happens, I want to put Danmok-sega under my control.”

“A good idea.”

What would Danmok-bi’s face look like if he was taken away by this inadequate man? Hyeol Jung-hyeok wanted to see that, too.

‘But still unpleasant.’