“That's him! Right there!”

Chuseong shouted, nearly losing his sanity at the sight of the white mask.

“Run! No, we must run!”

Thinking I was frozen out of fear, Chuseong suddenly panicked.

“Even you can’t handle that man! Let’s get out of here!”

When I still didn’t move, Chuseong frowned, drew his sword, and yelled,

“Damn it! Let’s attack together!”

“You really belong to the righteous sect.”

“Are you crazy? What nonsense are you talking about now?”

I could understand why his father left a dying wish to never trust anyone. Even in this situation, Chuseong did not run but cared for my safety.

The man in the white mask had by now reached our spot.

He silently stared at us.

Chuseong trembled. Though he vowed revenge, facing the man made his body refuse to obey.

I broke the heavy silence that filled the hall.

“Why didn’t you show this dangerous world to us before?”

Surprisingly, he was the real Geukak Soma.

At first glance, I naturally thought he was the fake Geukak Soma who had visited Wolpungmun.

But watching him walk toward us, I realized he was the true Geukak Soma—only he could radiate such an aura.

“Why are you here?”

“And why are you here, Yigongja?”

Chuseong’s eyes widened in shock.

He must have been confused: was the real one here, or was I colluding with the fake?

I asked Chuseong,

“Look closely. Is this the one who came then?”

Shaking, Chuseong stared at Geukak Soma. After a moment, he exclaimed,

“Oh! No, definitely different. This one’s face is better looking than that one!”

“But he’s wearing a mask.”

“Yes. He’s definitely better looking.”

I smiled and looked at Geukak Soma.

“It seems he can see through Soma’s mask.”

“Or maybe my mask is better looking.”

I understood what Chuseong meant. Not just anyone can wear a mask and evoke the unique aura of Geukak Soma.

The aura, the feeling, the atmosphere—something distinct only Geukak Soma has. Chuseong described it as “better looking.”

“So this is the real Geukak Soma.”

“I told you, that one was fake. Now, greet him—the true Geukak Soma, the Ma Jon of our sect.”

Chuseong froze as if struck by lightning. He was at a loss for words, staring in shock and fear at me and Geukak Soma.

But what really shocked Chuseong was yet to come.

“I visited the Evil Person Valley before leaving the sect, but you had already left.”

“I heard there’s someone imitating me.”

Given Geukak Soma’s personality, he would never tolerate such a person.

“But how did you know I would come here?”

“I didn’t know you were coming.”

An astonishing reply came from Geukak Soma.

“Today, I’ve come to receive the Eunyeonjeon.”

I was stunned—more than Chuseong.

“You say the owner of the Eunyeonjeon is Soma?”

Geukak Soma opened his palm, revealing the coin cut in half.

As Chuseong took out the coin hanging on his necklace—

“Ah? Oh—?”

The coin on the necklace and the one floating above were drawn together by Geukak Soma’s ethereal grasp.

The two halves joined perfectly.

Pulled to Geukak Soma, Chuseong looked back and forth at the reunited coin and Geukak Soma, overwhelmed. He could never have imagined the person his father saved was Geukak Soma. Neither could I.

With a careless motion, Geukak Soma cut the necklace string and reclaimed the other half of the Eunyeonjeon.

I spoke to Geukak Soma for the stunned Chuseong.

“I never imagined the owner of the Eunyeonjeon was Soma.”

“That was a long time ago.”

It was striking to realize Geukak Soma once had such a bond and that he came today to honor the promise.

“Meeting you, Soma, is a blessing, but this place feels like a trap.”

Indeed, before Geukak Soma appeared, all other guests had left, even the innkeeper had disappeared, and no one was passing by outside.

“It’s no coincidence that the fake wore your mask.”

It wasn’t just that the masked figure impersonated Geukak Soma—this was a targeted attack on Geukak Soma himself. That meant Cheonmyeonghoe was after him.

“Do you have any suspects?”

After a pause, Geukak Soma replied with an exasperated look,

“Do you think there’d be only one? I can name at least fifty suspects just now.”

I laughed in disbelief, and Geukak Soma laughed too. Chuseong silently absorbed the shock, still unable to adjust.

“Is there anyone else besides Soma who uses the Blood Fang Technique?”

“!”

Geukak Soma flinched perceptibly.

“Why do you ask?”

“The fake left marks on Wolpungmun’s wall strikingly similar to your Blood Fang Technique. It was so refined you could say you left it yourself.”

After a brief silence, Geukak Soma answered,

“There is another.”

I did not press further. I knew that answer was given specifically because it was me.

“Perhaps we’re facing an opponent not to be taken lightly.”

Geukak Soma nodded at my words. He clearly suspected who was behind this.

As our conversation paused, Chuseong asked me,

“They call you Yigongja. That’s not true, is it?”

I returned his question with a meaningful smile.

“If not me, who else could speak with the Ma Jon at such a young age?”

“Are you truly the offspring of the Heavenly Demon?”

“Yes.”

“Oh! To see the bloodline of the Demon Cult leader and a Ma Jon in one place!”

Ordinary warriors might never see such people in their lifetime.

“I guessed you weren’t ordinary. Honestly, calling you ‘I am Demon Cult’ wouldn’t be strange. A reincarnated Heavenly Demon, that’s what I believed you were. You’re really... no, I should now call you Yigongja.”

Geukak Soma smiled quietly as if he understood Chuseong’s feelings.

“Don’t treat me as difficult. Keep treating me as usual.”

“Is that alright?”

“It is. If I wanted special treatment, I would have revealed my identity from the start.”

“Understood. No, I got it.”

When our talk ended, Geukak Soma said to Chuseong,

“No matter the situation, debts must be repaid. So, what help do you need? Choose wisely. The Eunyeonjeon can only be used once. Since I owe your father, choose carefully.”

Chuseong glanced at me briefly.

“I will make the request on his behalf.”

He entrusted me with the use of the Eunyeonjeon.

“Why entrust me?”

“From what you both said, this isn’t just my family’s matter. It’s not simply about revenge. In my humble opinion, I don’t know what to ask you for. That’s why I entrusted it to Yigongja.”

A wise decision, I thought.

Yes, Chuseong, continue to use that brilliant mind well in life.

I smiled and asked Geukak Soma,

“Will you accept my request on his behalf?”

“Originally, I only answer to direct family, but since you are Yigongja, I’ll make an exception.”

“Thank you.”

After a moment’s thought, I said,

“Make me the sect’s successor.”

Chuseong jumped in protest.

“Why would you ask for that with my Eunyeonjeon?”

“You entrusted me.”

“No, still, I never expected this. You should have asked for my family’s revenge.”

Just then, Geukak Soma answered.

“Fine, I accept.”

What he accepted was not the request tied to the coin but my joke.

Meanwhile, Chuseong was frantic.

“No! That’s invalid! Invalid!”

Geukak Soma gave him a cold glare.

“Who are you?”

Taken aback by Geukak Soma’s attitude, Chuseong gasped.

“Who are you, loitering in front of me?”

Looking between Geukak Soma and me, he sighed and blamed himself.

“I think I have selective hot temper. My patience that overflows at a pebble runs dry in front of this man. It wouldn’t overflow even if I poured an ocean.”

With self-deprecating sigh, I smiled.

“You lost the coin but gained the future Heavenly Demon.”

Chuseong looked at me, surprised.

“Sorry for joking. Now, let me introduce myself properly. I am Geommuyang Yigongja of the Heavenly Demon Cult. I swear on my name to avenge your family.”

Only then did Chuseong realize it was a joke and was deeply moved. A more certain promise than the Eunyeonjeon.

Geukak Soma stepped forward as well.

“This matter involves me. I will handle it. So do not worry and return.”

“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

“I regret your family was caught in this because of me. If I had known, I would never have let your father have the Eunyeonjeon.”

Though he did not say sorry, his regret was clear.

“It’s not your fault, Soma.”

“This is no place for you. Go back quickly.”

“Yes.”

I asked worriedly,

“Is it safe to send him alone?”

Since enemies were clearly near, I feared something might happen on the way.

“You need not worry.”

His reply implied he knew the mastermind behind this.

After bowing farewell, Chuseong turned to leave. At the door, he looked back.

“I doubt we’ll meet again. After this, your sect might join the righteous sects. If so, when a righteous and demonic sect war breaks out... please go easy on my family.”

I replied jokingly,

“Then you’ll have to save me once. I’ll cut you a coin.”

Chuseong smiled broadly.

“I’m certain my father sent me a precious person. Yigongja, please be a Heavenly Demon who avoids starting sect wars. I look forward to seeing you again someday.”

Chuseong gave a very polite final farewell and left.

Left alone in the inn, Geukak Soma said,

“Yigongja, give up being the Heavenly Demon.”

“After using the Eunyeonjeon, what do you mean?”

“Live wandering ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) the Central Plains. Meet people like Chuseong, live smiling like this. That suits you better.”

I knew he meant it sincerely.

“Did you take bribes from your brother? Have you joined his side while I wasn’t looking?”

Geukak Soma laughed loudly.

As Chuseong left, enemies began to appear one by one. This meeting was undoubtedly a trap to lure Geukak Soma out.

The first to appear were three elderly men.

They were similarly aged and wore matching red armor. From their appearance alone, I recognized them.

The Blood Path Three Armies.

Once ronin who spread terror through the martial world, they took any contract for money. They killed indiscriminately—young or old—and were said to be capable of killing even their own parents for money.

Eventually, their crimes made them martial criminals, and they disappeared from the martial world—until today.

Now middle-aged, their hardened malice had replaced their muscles. They sat at a distance from us.

Then a middle-aged woman appeared, fluttering a pink fan. She was heavily made up in extravagant palace-style dress and had an alluring figure.

The Ultimate Enchantress.

A notorious villainess who sucked the life force from countless men to build her inner power. Her skin and body, unbefitting her age, were made from stolen vitality and lives. She had once been the top martial criminal and was rumored to have died after being drained by a great seducer—but here she was, alive and revealing herself.

She crossed her white legs and perched on the table.

Next came a middle-aged man.

He wore a straight sword at his waist and radiated the aura of a beast roaming the wilderness.

The Blood Wolf Blade.

He was a warrior who sought out the strongest fighters to become stronger. He did whatever it took, even forced fights with unwilling opponents. Many experts died unjustly because of him.

He too became a martial criminal. Rumors said he died fighting an elder of the Martial Alliance, or by a Ma Jon’s hand, or by an unknown recluse. Undeterred, he gulped down a jug at the entrance.

Finally, a man dressed entirely in black with black shoes and black robes appeared.

The Yama God Lord.

Though looking normal now, he was once a madman who massacred martial artists. Believing himself a messenger sent by the King of the Dead, he thought himself a god governing life and death. He too became a martial criminal, causing bloodshed before disappearing.

Seeing such infamous villains together was surreal. The mastermind who impersonated others was still absent.

Though it wasn’t the time to be casual, I couldn’t help but ask Geukak Soma,

“What kind of deeds have you been committing?”

Looking at the villains who radiated murderous intent, Geukak Soma answered awkwardly,

“They are all familiar faces.”