I chose the path I knew.

Before regression, I chose the right-side mission, and today I picked the right envelope again.

Now I’m confident I can complete any mission!

But this was no time to show off. It was a humble chance to redeem past failures.

Inside the envelope was a single sheet with four characters written on it:

Wima Jingbeol — “Punishment of the False Demon.”

It was the very order given to me before.

Sama Myung sent a private message to explain. It was so neither of us would know the other’s mission.

―Recently, a mysterious organization called Cheonmyeonghoe (Heaven’s Mandate Society) has begun covert activities in the martial world. Though they claim to create a new martial world under Heaven’s command, they are actually pursuing selfish gains. Recently, they have impersonated Ma Jons from our sect, causing numerous incidents, reaching a point where we can no longer overlook them. Lee Gongja, your task is to find their leader, eliminate him, and destroy Cheonmyeonghoe.

Before regression, I had looked down on them, not because of their skills, but because they simply impersonated Ma Jons from our sect.

Now, I saw it differently. To dare impersonate a Ma Jon means either they have the confidence to back it up or are hiding another scheme. These aren’t ordinary fools.

“I will carry out the order.”

As I accepted the mission, Geommuyang picked the other envelope. Of course, I knew well what mission was written inside.

After Sama Myung briefed Geommuyang by private message, he addressed us both.

“You must complete your missions alone. However, during your missions, you may use all information networks of Tongcheongak of our sect once, including Ma-dosarang—the Four Great Ma-do Masters—and any one of the Eight Ma Jons once.”

This meant we had to solve things on our own but could rely on sect support when fighting enemies.

When Sama Myung finished speaking, Father said,

“A frog in a well or a greenhouse flower cannot lead our sect. Solve it thoroughly and return!”

Father gave no warnings or cautions about the dangerous mission. I smiled, breaking the stiff atmosphere.

“Father, which of us do you wish to succeed?”

Father’s lips curled slightly at my question. I could feel him restraining a remark he wanted to make.

His gaze was fair, looking neither at me nor at my brother with personal bias.

Before regression, I wasn’t looking at Father then. I only thought about completing the mission no matter what.

But now, I was looking at Father.

Father, don’t worry. I will solve it safely and return.

I conveyed that belief with my eyes. This too was an effort to become the successor. The more Father trusted me, the closer I would get to the position.

My gaze shifted from Father to Geommuyang.

“Brother, do well and return like before. I’ll do well and return too. And don’t look at me so coldly, as if you don’t even know how I feel.”

The next morning, while preparing to depart, Ian came to see me.

“You called?”

“I’m leaving the sect briefly and will return.”

“Where are you going?”

“I can’t reveal it.”

I raised a finger and pointed upwards. Ian understood that I was going to carry out the Heavenly Demon Hall’s orders.

“Bring something delicious when you come back!”

“I’m not going for fun. I’m going to handle a very dangerous matter.”

“I’m busy training my martial art, so I’ll go ahead.”

“Tough enemies are pouring out.”

“Come back safely!”

Ian ran to the door but sighed as she turned.

“I wish it were that easy. How dangerous this is! I want to go with you and help.”

She had changed from the playful Ian to a constantly worried one.

“This must be done alone. And I’m joking. Don’t worry.”

“Really?”

“Stop worrying and focus on your work.”

“Actually, Cheongmyeon came to see me recently.”

I watched them meet but pretended not to know.

“Will he take charge?”

“No, he’s still thinking. Just asked a few questions and left.”

“How do you feel?”

“Half and half. Honestly, I want him to come now, but if he really comes, I might worry more. Because it means a new life for me.”

“Worrying about the future means ignoring Cheongmyeon’s concerns. At first glance, it seems you should take responsibility for him, but that’s not true.”

“Not true?”

“Yes. Cheongmyeon came after careful thought. He did the math and decided coming to you is more profitable. If he feels it’s not right, he’ll leave. So don’t feel pressured.”

Ian smiled at my words.

“Get stronger, Ian. Then nine out of your ten worries will solve themselves.”

After saying goodbye to Ian, I left my quarters.

Before leaving, I decided to visit the Ma Jons once. They weren’t people I had to look after, but this time I wanted to see each of them.

The first place I visited was Geukak Soma’s lair.

He usually stared at the wall in his white room, but today Cheongmyeon informed me of his absence.

“Ma Jon left the sect a few days ago.”

“Can you tell me where he went?”

“He left without telling me.”

“Tell him I visited when he returns.”

“Yes, I will.”

As I turned to leave, Cheongmyeon asked me,

“May I ask you something?”

“Speak.”

“This may seem strange, but what kind of organization is the Guiyeongdae to you, Lee Gongja?”

I knew why he asked and answered honestly.

“They will be my main force in the future. Led by someone I cherish most. Probably the busiest organization in the martial world. I even miss the time under Geukak Soma.”

I saw laughter in Cheongmyeon’s eyes beneath his mask.

“Thank you for telling me.”

He bowed. I could have said a few words for Ian, but I didn’t. Only by making his own judgments and decisions could regrets become valuable.

Next, I visited Ilhwa Sword Immortal.

After hearing from Chima about the past, I pondered her life.

Would she be happier if she’d succeeded with Blood Heaven Butcher?

“You look younger these days.”

“Don’t say nonsense. I’m worried about all these wrinkles.”

Still, Ilhwa Sword Immortal brightened at the rare compliment.

“I heard you drank with Chima?”

“How did you know?”

“Chima stopped by. He brought some good liquor. He even did things he usually wouldn’t.”

“Did he say anything?”

“He bragged about becoming sworn brothers with you and was so happy.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing. If we become sworn brothers, everything gets messed up.”

“Then be friends with me instead.”

“Don’t say that even as a joke.”

Chima didn’t come just to brag about sworn brotherhood. He confessed everything to me and felt sorry for her.

How Chima will behave from now on remains to be seen.

“As you know, Chima doesn’t get along well with Butcher. Is that okay?”

“You’ll have to help.”

“How?”

“Even if you’re reluctant, say good things about Butcher. I know you don’t like him, but please, for my sake.”

Ilhwa Sword Immortal didn’t answer. It seemed even my presence couldn’t remove her resentment toward Butcher.

Still, I expected things would improve. If Chima stopped badmouthing Blood Heaven Butcher and spoke positively, her feelings toward Butcher might gradually change.

Next, I went to see Chima.

But Yeobin brought unexpected news.

“Chima has entered seclusion training.”

I was surprised by the sudden news.

“Sudden seclusion training?”

“He’s been drinking too much lately and said he needed to purge his energy cycle.”

“That’s good, right?”

“Yes, it’s what I truly hoped for. Thank you, Lee Gongja.”

“No problem. I promised to drink less and eat more snacks, so please take good care of him, Yeobin.”

“Yes, I will.”

I’d long suspected Yeobin liked Chima. I wonder if Chima knows. Maybe he acts like a sly snake—knowing but pretending not to.

Among the Ma Jons, I last visited Blood Heaven Butcher’s residence.

“Your cultivation has become fiercer, sir.”

He was deep in training again.

“The stronger you grow, the fiercer your enemies will be.”

“Are you training specifically to fight my brother and his supporters?”

“It’s not just about the successor battle.”

“Oh?”

“Remember what I said? When a dragon ascends, it brings storms and winds.”

“Of course. You said your people are being swept away by the storm.”

“Right. You said I’m like a loach stirring up muddy water, but I think those ripples will awaken the sleeping dragons of the martial world.”

“Aren’t you overestimating me?”

“Based on what you’ve shown so far, that’s an underestimate. Be careful. Though our sect, the Martial Alliance, and the Disciple Alliance control much of the martial world, that’s just a fraction. Stronger ones may appear anywhere. Don’t forget that geniuses are as numerous as grains of sand in the rivers and lakes.”

“I’ll always act and judge carefully.”

“Also, wait a moment.”

Blood Heaven Butcher went into his room and brought out a small box. Opening it revealed a pill.

“Speed Recovery Pill. Use it if you run out of internal power in an emergency.”

The pill restored internal power two or three times faster than usual, with no side effects. It was rare and expensive.

“Save this for yourself, sir.”

“Are you going to make this old man work harder even giving me recovery pills? Take it and use it yourself.”

He forced the pill into my hand. I was moved by his care and concern.

Sir, don’t worry. I will go carefully and return safely.

Since I was receiving it anyway, I accepted the mood gladly.

“Don’t you have anything more? Why not go back inside and look?”

“No! None left!”

“Your strong denial makes me think you do. I’ll expect more next time.”

We laughed and greeted each other. As I turned to leave, Blood Heaven Butcher asked,

“How are things with that sly fellow?”

“We decided to become sworn brothers.”

Blood Heaven Butcher made a face of disbelief, then admiration.

“If you were a loach, you could never be sworn brothers with that sly fellow.”

He meant that, though Butcher might dislike Chima, being sworn brothers with him was a big deal.

“I trust you, sir, to do as you please.”

“Is that why this old body still wields such a heavy path?”

After leaving Blood Heaven Butcher’s place, I left the sect.

Once I reached a deserted area, I began running in earnest. With my Quickstep technique, it was better to move alone nowadays.

But even while running, I made sure to rest properly. All my movements were reported to the Heavenly Demon Hall. There was no need to let everyone know how fast I could run.

I pushed my Quickstep to the limit. When I reached the designated point, I spent the rest of the time there honing the remaining Wind Spirit Step techniques.

Shadow Step became more stealthy, Blink Step faster, and King’s Step fiercer. I trained endlessly. My goal for now was mastery of the Wind Spirit Step.

According to the materials from Tongcheongak, Cheonmyeonghoe had caused incidents around Honam.

Recently, incidents occurred mainly in two places: Yeongheung and Donggu.

Previously, I investigated the Yeongheung incidents to track down Cheonmyeonghoe. But it turned out those were not their doing.

They were acts committed by imitators of Cheonmyeonghoe.

That wasted much time in the past, and I went late to Donggu to chase their traces.

Because of that, I grew impatient and missed clues I should have found, and ultimately failed the mission.

Of course, this time I made the right choice.

Arriving in Donggu, I headed straight to Wolpung Gate, where the incident had occurred.