The joy of survival amplified the presence of the two Majon, and Jin Ha Ryeong’s heart began to beat faster and faster.

The Great Sword strapped to the side by Hyeol Cheondoma, and Gwun Ma slowly walking toward them—both were truly terrifying.

Until now, the Demon Sect had been vague and distant to her. She had only heard that it was frightening and cruel, but the only person from the Demon Sect she had actually met was Geom Mugeuk—a young, handsome man who joked easily.

But today, she felt as if she had seen the real Demon Sect.

Gwun Ma’s face, as he approached closely, was truly fearsome, yet Jin Ha Ryeong tried to keep her expression as calm as possible.

“Thank you very much for saving my life.”

Her gratitude was for both the two Majon and Ian.

“I will surely repay this kindness.”

Though she was afraid of the Majon, she did not dislike the two who saved her.

The Majon simply nodded once, not boasting about saving her life.

If her older brother heard this, he would scold her for being crazy, but she became curious about who these Majon really were.

After greeting the two, Jin Ha Ryeong looked at Ian.

She knew how dangerous it was to fly holding onto a great sword, especially one that had just been used to kill enemies.

Ian was no different from the Majon—she too did not boast even once that she had saved Jin Ha Ryeong’s life.

Ian, while releasing Jin Ha Ryeong’s internal energy, teased her lightly.

“Friend! Didn’t we make a promise to meet? You break that promise?”

That word—friend—resonated more deeply with Jin Ha Ryeong than anything she had ever heard in her life. It marked a moment when the friendship between the two women took a step forward.

Jin Ha Ryeong smoothed her face and said,

“That’s why I look like this, right? There’s nothing else to see but my face.”

Half-joking, half-self-deprecating, she answered. Ian then said something unexpected.

“Then from today on, you’ll have to show something else.”

Jin Ha Ryeong understood. Ian did not rely on her beautiful appearance as a weapon. That was why she was strong, and why she could call Jin Ha Ryeong beautiful. And again, she was telling her that appearance did not matter to them.

Yes, from today on, there was no “Hubei’s Number One Beauty.” She would become “Hubei’s Number One Swordswoman,” moving toward becoming the greatest swordswoman in the world. She would no longer face death threats like from Chorim.

Beyond that, today she learned a great lesson.

Life and death had been separated by the narrowest margin. Had she given up and died, she would have perished before Ian and the Majon arrived.

But because she fought to the very end, she survived. She felt clearly that fortune favors those who never give up until the last moment.

At that moment, something as fast as light dashed toward them.

Swaaaaaash.

Geom Mugeuk landed there with Quick Step. His landing was so natural that it felt as if he had been there all along.

Looking around, Geom Mugeuk let out a sigh of relief. He could tell Ian and the Majon had arrived in time to save Jin Ha Ryeong.

“You came quickly. Without these people, I’d already be dead.”

Jin Ha Ryeong joked, and Geom Mugeuk laughed.

“That’s why I’m close with these people.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at Hyeol Cheondoma and Gwun Ma. His trust in their judgment was well placed—they had repaid his faith with theirs.

“You can puff up your chest more. You’re really impressive!”

“Where were you dawdling until now? Just making an old man suffer.”

But Hyeol Cheondoma’s worried gaze was fixed on the bloodstains on Geom Mugeuk’s clothes.

“I got my money’s worth making the old man suffer.”

“Hey, you bastard!”

At that moment, Gwun Ma asked Geom Mugeuk,

“Are you hurt?”

“It’s not my blood. I’m fine.”

Gwun Ma nodded.

Watching their conversation, Jin Ha Ryeong finally realized that Geom Mugeuk was indeed the Little Pill Master of the Demon Sect. She doubted the rumor that he had taken control of the Majon. Rather than control, he had made them his own people. The looks from the two Majon toward Geom ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) Mugeuk were like the looks from her grandfather and her older brother directed at her.

She understood. Though Ian and the two Majon had saved her life, ultimately, it was thanks to Geom Mugeuk that she lived. Without him, they would never have moved.

“Twice indebted to Majon for my life, the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Leader! I’m completely ruined.”

Her teasing made Geom Mugeuk and Ian laugh together.

Geom Mugeuk said to the two Majon,

“Please wait with Ian at the safe house. I will take Jin Sojeo back to the Murim Alliance and then leave.”

“Is it all over now?”

“No, there’s one thing left to confirm before we go.”

They had to verify whether the Murim Alliance Leader truly had annihilated the Mokcheon family.

No matter how much he thought, Geom Mugeuk couldn’t believe Jin Paecheon would have done such a thing. But if it was a conspiracy, anything was possible.

Looking far toward the Murim Alliance, Geom Mugeuk joked as if serious.

“This time, I might really run, sir! I might have to.”

Jin Ha Gun strode into the Murim Alliance Hall.

Jin Paecheon, who had been gazing out the window, turned hurriedly.

“What happened?”

“We deployed the Annihilation Division to thoroughly search the Dongho area but found nothing. Any news from the Blue Dragon Squad?”

Jin Paecheon shook his head.

“And the Flying Tiger Squad?”

Still shaking his head. They had released all the elite warriors of the Murim Alliance in every direction but still could not find Jin Ha Ryeong.

There were no demands from Baek Cheonggyeong, presumed kidnapper. The anxiety was eating him up.

“Perhaps we should make it public.”

Currently, the search was limited due to secrecy. If it were a public search, witnesses might emerge.

But Jin Paecheon shook his head. The kidnappers were reckless enough to abduct the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Leader. They wouldn’t be noticed, and premature publicity might bring in the Satan Alliance or other villains.

Jin Ha Gun thought that his grandfather might say, “This is all your fault!” But Jin Paecheon didn’t utter such petty complaints. Though cornered, he didn’t blame others.

“Any contact from Geom Mugeuk?”

Jin Paecheon silently nodded.

Gradually, Geom Mugeuk became their last hope.

But Jin Ha Gun’s heart grew troubled.

What if this were all Geom Mugeuk’s plot?

He recalled the image of his kidnapped younger sister.

After she was taken, he feared she might be used as a bargaining chip someday.

The fear of losing her overwhelmed him. She was the only person he could truly talk to.

He had never once imagined losing her. But now that it was real, he could not control his fear.

If he lost his sister—

His life would change drastically.

Yet at that moment, Jin Paecheon thought the exact opposite.

“He believed only he could save that child.”

Jin Ha Gun felt his grandfather’s trust in Geom Mugeuk.

When he had rushed back after hearing about his sister’s kidnapping during the Annihilation Division mission, his grandfather had not trusted Geom Mugeuk.

When asked who was responsible, he answered,

“Either Geom Mugeuk or Baek Cheonggyeong.”

Then, staring intently, his grandfather had asked,

“Who do you think you are?”

Back then, he had not completely trusted Geom Mugeuk and hoped the Murim Alliance warriors would find Jin Ha Ryeong.

But now, his grandfather believed in Geom Mugeuk—not because of trust, but because the situation was desperate. Though the strongest person alive, when his granddaughter’s life was on the line, he became an ordinary grandfather.

“I will search again and report back.”

As Jin Ha Gun was about to leave, a warrior ran in and reported,

“Miss Ha Ryeong has returned.”

Jin Paecheon and Jin Ha Gun were stunned.

Jin Paecheon immediately sprang up from the grand seat and hurried down.

Soon after, Jin Ha Ryeong entered.

She walked first, followed by Geom Mugeuk.

“Grandfather!”

Jin Ha Ryeong ran and embraced Jin Paecheon. Seeing her grandfather, tears spilled from her eyes. Having just survived a near-death experience, she realized how important her grandfather was in her life.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine.”

Her face and body were bruised, but there were no internal injuries.

“Well done, you came back safe.”

Tears welled up in Jin Paecheon’s eyes. Though he had an iron heart, seeing his granddaughter safely returned moved him deeply. He couldn’t recall the last time he cried.

Jin Ha Ryeong reunited with Jin Ha Gun.

“Brother.”

Jin Ha Gun hugged his sister tightly.

“I’m sorry.”

All this happened because of him—because he had doubted their master.

“Why apologize? It’s my fault for being captured so foolishly.”

“Don’t say that.”

After the reunion that showed how precious they were to each other, Jin Paecheon and Jin Ha Gun’s burning gaze turned toward Geom Mugeuk.

Saving Jin Ha Ryeong was more important to them than anything else—even more than saving their own lives.

“Thank you for saving Ha Ryeong.”

Jin Paecheon formally expressed his gratitude with a bow.

Geom Mugeuk replied politely.

“Jin Sojeo is not only the granddaughter of the Alliance Leader but also my friend. Please don’t mind too much.”

A life saved is a debt repaid with a life saved; Jin Paecheon decided he would someday save Geom Mugeuk’s life.

Meanwhile, Jin Ha Gun felt ashamed for doubting Geom Mugeuk even briefly.

“I still have a long way to go.”

If this had been in the past, shame and inferiority would have overwhelmed him. But now, it was different. He felt the need to work harder and improve. Seeing Geom Mugeuk even now pushing him was proof that he was a man who provoked growth simply by existing.

“First, go get treated and rest. We’ll talk about what’s left later. And I want to speak with you alone for a while.”

Jin Ha Gun and Jin Ha Ryeong realized that their grandfather wanted a private conversation with Geom Mugeuk. Since they could talk later, they obediently stepped aside.

“Yes, Grandfather.”

As they walked away, Jin Ha Ryeong turned back and said,

“I’m truly glad to see you again, Grandfather.”

Jin Paecheon smiled and nodded. Thinking what might have happened if he had not seen her again made his heart drop.

Only the two remained in the Murim Alliance Hall.

“What happened to Baek Cheonggyeong?”

“He’s dead.”

Though she expected it since her granddaughter had returned, hearing it directly from Geom Mugeuk gave her a strange feeling.

“Why did he kidnap Ha Ryeong?”

Then, surprising words came from Geom Mugeuk.

“Baek Cheonggyeong was the younger brother of the Mokcheon family head.”

Jin Paecheon’s eyes widened.

How could he forget the Mokcheon family?

“They’re all dead.”

“No. Only one survived—the family head’s younger brother.”

“He was thought to be dead as well.”

“He faked his death.”

Only now did Jin Paecheon understand Baek Cheonggyeong’s double life. Could it be all of this was related to his son’s death?

And the most important question of the day came.

“Alliance Leader, may I ask—did you annihilate the Mokcheon family?”

A heavy silence followed.

Geom Mugeuk thought this silence was not an admission. If the leader had truly done it, he wouldn’t fall into suspicious silence. This was a silence filled with history.

Finally, Jin Paecheon sighed and began to speak.

“That day, I went to them for revenge. It was a family’s revenge, so I went alone.”

His face tightened as if the scene of that day was vivid in his mind.

“When I arrived, they were already dead.”

Jin Paecheon proved he was telling the truth in the strongest way he could.

“I swear by my dead son and daughter-in-law—I did not kill them.”

That a man who valued honor would swear on his own son meant his words were true. He also understood the importance of revealing the truth.

And that day left a deep scar on Jin Paecheon.

“My mind was clear when I saw it. I ran like a madman for revenge, but when I saw the scene, you know what I thought?”

He took a long breath, filling it with the emotions of that day.

“I thought I was lucky.”

Geom Mugeuk silently listened.

“I, the Murim Alliance Leader, thought I was lucky. If this hadn’t happened first, I might have done such a thing. I should have mourned the innocent deaths and raged!”

Jin Paecheon’s expression hardened, his suffering evident.

“The Alliance Leader would not have annihilated them.”

Jin Paecheon stared intently at Geom Mugeuk and asked,

“Do you really think so?”

No one could know for sure. How far a grieving parent might go in their grief is unknowable. Still, Geom Mugeuk answered firmly.

“Yes, because the Alliance Leader is not that kind of man.”

Jin Paecheon sighed again. The usual ruthless expression didn’t fit. This event was a huge wound in his life.

Disappointed in himself for thinking he might have annihilated them, and grateful he had not, he must have suffered deeply. Living a life of compromise, the wound would be deeper than anyone else’s.

Geom Mugeuk repeated his words once more.

“The Alliance Leader would not have done that.”

Jin Paecheon’s pupils trembled. At that moment, he realized something: he had longed to hear these words for a very long time, and now wanted to say them himself.

“Yes, I would not have done such a thing.”

With deepened eyes, Jin Paecheon looked at Geom Mugeuk.

“Why do you believe me so much, even without truly knowing me?”

“Yes, I don’t know you well. But isn’t there one thing that’s certain?”

Geom Mugeuk calmly added,

“It’s because you’re not that kind of man that I can stand here alone in the middle of the Murim Alliance.”