“No.”

Geukak Soma refused firmly.

“Do you dare to defy Senior Uncle’s words?”

Just by hearing such shameless words after releasing the villains of Akin Valley to kill Geukak Soma, one could tell what kind of person he was.

“What’s the meaning of this worthless mask!”

Yang Cheogi took off his mask. A wrinkled old man appeared, truly an ugly man. His face was in stark contrast to the handsome face of Geukak Soma I had seen before the regression.

“Hurry and take it off!”

“No.”

“Right, you’ve always ignored me.”

It seemed Geukak Soma’s relationship with his master was not bad. That he so willingly obeyed Senior Uncle’s words was probably because he was the senior uncle of his master.

“The moment your master died, you lost the right to wear that mask.”

“What do you mean?”

“When your master defended you, you belonged to the White Mask Sect, but now you do not. I hereby expel you.”

The sect where Geukak Soma learned martial arts was the White Mask Sect, a heterodox sect. Later, Geukak Soma threw himself into the Heavenly Demon Sect and became a Ma Jon. Becoming a Ma Jon was his master’s dream. Geukak Soma fulfilled a dream his master could not achieve. I had heard all this when interacting with Geukak Soma before the regression.

“Senior Uncle, you cannot just cast me out as you please.”

“Shut up!”

A murderous aura burst from Yang Cheogi’s body. It was not a mere intimidation but a resolve to truly kill.

“Well, since you killed Sword Sovereign, it’s no wonder this Senior Uncle is not afraid. At first, when I heard you killed the Sword Sovereign, I could not believe it. I thought maybe the Sword Sovereign had problems. But seeing you walking around alive means the Sword Sovereign had no issues.”

Yet he showed no fear. Clearly, he believed something.

“Senior Uncle, why do you want to kill Soma?”

In response to my question, Geukak Soma answered calmly.

“Senior Uncle’s dream was to become the Sect Lord of the Apostles. He resents me for preventing that dream.”

“Of course it’s your fault! Because of you, my wish was shattered. Ma Jon and Sect Lord cannot coexist in the same sect!”

He blamed Geukak Soma for not becoming the Sect Lord. Though it was a long time ago, he seemed to have nurtured that resentment.

“When your master was ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) alive, you dared nothing, but now that he is dead, you act like this.”

“Shut up! I only endured because you were trapped by the golden curse and locked away in the demonic sect. It has nothing to do with master and disciple!”

Yang Cheogi was a lifelong loser. In his youth, he had also thrown himself into the Heavenly Demon Sect hoping to become a Ma Jon but failed to adapt and was practically chased out. He wanted to become the White Mask Sect leader, but that position went to Geukak Soma’s master. Finally, he even failed to realize his wish to become Sect Lord. His life was one of dreaming beyond his ability.

“Pathetic.”

At my words, Geukak Soma and Yang Cheogi looked at me.

“Blaming others, using others to kill. Pathetic. How is it Soma’s fault that you became unhappy? It’s your fault for ruining your life blaming others.”

Cold murderous intent poured from Yang Cheogi, but I said all I needed.

“Do you really think you failed to become Sect Lord because a Ma Jon came from the same sect? I think that’s an excuse. If you had shown the qualities and ability fit for the position, you would have surely become Sect Lord. Isn’t that the excuse you made up?”

Yang Cheogi could not refute.

“If you hold such petty thoughts, even if you became Sect Lord, the Apostles would have been ruined because of you. Eventually, you would have been assassinated by someone inside the Apostles. You should be grateful, not resent Soma. Try it. ‘Thank you for sparing my life. Soma, thank you!’”

Yang Cheogi’s eyes darkened. His gaze held the will to kill me. Apparently, I had struck a nerve.

I stared back into those eyes hiding shame and said,

“The reason you want to kill Soma is not just that, right?”

Yang Cheogi flinched at my words. Geukak Soma standing beside him asked me,

“What do you mean?”

“Such petty people always put their own interests first. They don’t risk their lives for revenge. Who have you joined forces with? What did you get in return? Did they promise to fulfill your final dream?”

Yang Cheogi could not deny my words.

“Young brat’s mouth is sharp. The demonic sect’s future is bright!”

His shame turned into anger aimed at Geukak Soma.

“They say you went to the demonic sect and became Geukak Soma? Let’s see how truly evil you are.”

Yang Cheogi snapped his fingers to signal, and those hiding began to reveal themselves one by one. There were dozens, all masked, all disciples of the White Mask Sect.

“Now, kill all the senior uncle and disciple brothers.”

I was surprised. I never thought he would bring them out like this.

They weren’t brought to kill us but to torment Geukak Soma. Because they wore masks, their ages were unknown, but from their aura, many were young masters.

What choice would Geukak Soma make?

If they charged to kill us, I would have no choice but to respond. Although they were from a heterodox sect, they were Geukak Soma’s disciples; could he allow them to die freely? How would Geukak Soma respond?

I glared at Yang Cheogi. The absolute evil I spoke of was precisely such people. Not an unavoidable choice but those with malice to intentionally destroy someone’s spirit, who sacrifice sect disciples as scapegoats without remorse. You will surely die by my hand.

At that moment, Geukak Soma spoke with a booming voice.

“My senior uncle, senior master, senior disciple, senior sister-in-law, and junior nephew disciples, listen. Though I left the sect and joined the demonic sect, I am the top disciple of the previous sect leader. The leader never expelled me in life, so as the legitimate successor of the White Mask Sect, I command you all to stand down!”

The disciples of the White Mask Sect exchanged glances.

Yang Cheogi shouted,

“What are you waiting for? Kill them!”

Geukak Soma shouted louder,

“The traitor Yang Cheogi, who recklessly moves sect disciples for personal gain, dies here today. Stand down!”

“Kill them!”

At that moment, someone emitted a Wind Slash.

Peeeeng.

Geukak Soma dodged the Wind Slash. It was not meant to kill but was a warning shot.

“Senior brother!”

Geukak Soma immediately recognized the man who fired the Wind Slash as his senior brother.

“Did you recognize me?”

“How could I not?”

Their eyes met in the air, filled with memories and longing of childhood.

“Senior brother, take the disciples and leave.”

“I cannot disobey Senior Uncle’s order.”

“Senior Uncle has already betrayed the sect. Don’t you see he’s trying to use senior brother and disciples as scapegoats by cooperating with Akin Valley?”

They had heard all my words to Yang Cheogi earlier, so they knew the gravity of the situation.

“There are only two possible outcomes for this fight. Either you die fighting me, or you kill us and face the sect’s destruction by the Heavenly Demon Sect. Is that what senior brother wants? To lead everyone to death?”

Yang Cheogi shouted for them to kill, but Geukak Soma and the man called senior brother silently stared at each other.

“The old man who uses division as a weapon to ruin the sect will die by my hand. So don’t worry and go back. You know what kind of man I am, right?”

“I know. Senior master always kept his promises.”

“Until next time, senior brother.”

Geukak Soma’s senior brother shouted to the disciples.

“Let’s go back!”

The White Mask Sect disciples followed him and left.

I sincerely admired Geukak Soma’s calm response. It was the moment I saw a new side of him.

―To finish without any sacrifice. The coolest moment since meeting Soma.

―Saying Geukak Soma didn’t shed blood is awkward.

Maybe meeting me was changing him.

“Fools!”

To the furious Yang Cheogi, Geukak Soma teased,

“I think I have more senior brother luck than our master.”

“Shut up!”

At Yang Cheogi’s annoyed response, I added,

“They left because they hated you. They probably only came here under forced orders. They must have hated you so much that they listened to Soma who left the sect long ago. How could they not know you would drag disciples to death just because you’re an elder? It’s better for you to die here today.”

Yang Cheogi sneered.

“Knowing you killed the Sword Sovereign, did you think I’d face you alone? You’ve waited long enough. Monster, please come out now.”

Then someone appeared in a building across the street. He was an old man who had not aged gracefully. His wrinkled face was full of nastiness, and his eyes were filled with murderous intent.

I was surprised at the word monster.

He was a magic user but not from the main sect.

He was notorious for using magic to slaughter, so the main sect and Martial Alliance formed a joint assassination squad to kill him. He had disappeared since then but showed up today.

I asked Yang Cheogi,

“Who did you join forces with? Who brought out a monster?”

But before he could answer, the monster stepped forward with a cold gaze.

“Stepping out? You have a foul mouth. Did your father teach you that?”

Mentioning parents at a moment like this? And our father?

“Because old men shamelessly act like this, noble martial artists are losing their place in the martial world. You come out to kill us but expect manners? Fine, I will show you all manners now. Senior, please value our bond as fellow magic users and spare this junior! Well then, will you spare me?”

The monster did not answer but twitched one corner of his eye.

“So cut the crap about manners. Why did you suddenly pop out and cause a fuss?”

I deliberately provoked him. They came to kill us anyway. The more I provoked him, the better for the fight. When emotions get involved in fights between experts, it’s always a disadvantage. His mentioning our father to make me angry was for that reason.

Yang Cheogi said to the monster,

“Break all his bones. Then see how arrogant he remains.”

“Tiring. Watch closely. Soon he will disappear without a trace.”

Though both had poor temperaments, their martial arts were close to Sword Sovereign Baekmanggi’s. Facing one of them might be possible, but facing both was not easy.

Then—

Clink, clink.

The sound of chains came from somewhere.

Turning around, a sturdy man appeared, dragging bloodied chains wound around his wrists.

“Cheolswaeja!”

He was called Cheolswaeja, a villain who once terrified the martial world. Countless masters lost their lives to his red chains. His presence rivaled even the monster’s.

His arrival made my heart sink. Facing two was already difficult, and now Cheolswaeja appeared, making the situation overwhelmingly disadvantageous.

I sighed to Geukak Soma.

“This is all my fault.”

“What do you mean?”

“Senior Elder Hyeolcheondoma said I would cause turmoil and awaken all the hidden masters. I never imagined meeting Monster and Cheolswaeja here.”

“This time, it seems I woke them, not Lee Gongja.”

“Then Soma, please take the stronger opponent.”

Even in this situation, the eyes behind the mask laughed at my jokes. Though the worst situation, I felt oddly secure knowing I was with Geukak Soma.

“By the way, I must ask this first.”

I looked at Yang Cheogi.

“Which side will you join for the combined attack?”

Of course, it was meant to prevent his cooperation.

Yang Cheogi smiled leisurely.

“You don’t have to touch my pride so much. I won’t intervene. Just watch Lee Gongja’s face and body well. Soon he’ll be covered in blood and disappear.”

Since the monster moved to face me, Geukak Soma naturally faced Cheolswaeja.

I thought that was good. Both monster and Cheolswaeja were strong opponents, but I expected the monster to be stronger.

I looked at Geukak Soma.

I did not ask if he was confident. That would have been disrespectful. I kept my composure until the end.

“Shall we bet who dies first?”

At my words, the monster laughed. Cheolswaeja laughed, and Yang Cheogi laughed.

“Soma just stands there, but I don’t know why they laugh.”

Then Geukak Soma laughed, and finally I laughed.

As I drew my sword, Geukak Soma flicked the blade of the Black Demon Sword lightly with his finger.

Ting!

Hearing the clear metallic sound filled with Geukak Soma’s fighting spirit, I stepped forward toward the toughest fight since regression.