After returning from the hunt, I entered the training hall and began honing the secret techniques my father had taught me.

From channeling energy into the wind, to releasing multiple strands of energy at once.

I couldn't afford to waste time eating, so I got by with jerky. Sleep was replaced with energy circulation meditation. The more I practiced, the more I understood how vital this technique was. Sensing a hidden enemy before they strike is like carrying a spare life in your pocket.

I trained relentlessly. I’d learned over and over that if you don’t walk today, you’ll have to run tomorrow. That’s how life is.

After several days of immersion, I finally stepped out of the training hall. I could now ride the wind freely, and had increased the number of energy strands I could project to three or four.

At the entrance, Ian was waiting for me.

“Young Master, you need to rest and have a proper meal now.”

“Didn’t I tell you to go about your own business? Why are you still here?”

“Protecting you is my business, Young Master.”

It seemed she’d stood guard in front of the training hall the entire time.

A thought crossed my mind—this stubborn woman needed a shock to change her mindset.

“Is standing at the door really the best way to protect me?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If someone ambushes me, what are you going to do?”

“I’ll throw myself in front of the attack.”

“And if you die from a blade meant for me, how do you think I’d feel? Happy that I survived? You think I’d dance in the arena?”

“Probably not… But it’s better than dying, isn’t it? Also, you’re not really a great dancer, Young Master.”

“That’s just selfish sacrifice, all about your own feelings.”

I didn’t want to call her noble sacrifice selfish, but this was the only way to get through to her. Even if it didn’t work.

“Yes, yes. From now on, please refer to me as a selfish woman who only cares about her own emotions.”

“Ian, do you really want to protect me?”

“Yes.”

“Then from now on, train in martial arts. So when the moment comes, you don’t just block passively. You kill them.”

If she grew stronger, that strength would serve as the foundation for her own happiness.

She didn’t take it as a joke. She just nodded quietly.

Right then, someone shouted from afar.

“Hey, you fat pig!”

I turned around. Three people were walking toward us. They were disciples of the Blood Heaven Butcher.

“Still no sign of this young lord today?”

Judging by how casually they said it, they must’ve come by several times during my training.

But… what did that bastard just say? Fat pig?

Seems they couldn’t see me behind Ian’s large frame.

“How many times have they done this shit?”

“It’s fine. It’s not a big deal.”

“If this isn’t a big deal, then what the hell is? Do our families have to be slaughtered by our enemies before it counts?”

“Young Master! I’m fine.”

Ian was clearly worried I might cause trouble. Whether I got hurt or they did, either outcome would be a problem for her.

“Ian. Don’t worry so much. I’m not the type to throw my life away recklessly because of you. That’s just how people are. Everyone looks out for themselves in the end.”

As we spoke, they came closer. Ian quickly whispered:

“Young Master, I don’t think they’re here with good intentions. You should leave.”

“Of course, I should. You avoid hornets, dog shit, even Father’s lightning strikes. But those guys? Nah.”

The three of them stopped in front of me.

“Oh? The young lord is here too.”

The one who’d mocked Ian earlier was Yang Po, the second disciple of the Blood Heaven Butcher.

I knew exactly what kind of bastard he was. He and Gu Pyeongho were scum in different flavors—Gu poisoned people, and Yang Po tortured them emotionally.

He was notorious for belittling and psychologically tormenting others... Yeah. That kid.

My eyes shifted to the good-looking disciple beside Yang Po.

The youngest, right? Out of all the Blood Heaven Butcher’s disciples, he was the most kindhearted. But Yang Po’s cruel harassment drove him to suicide in the previous life. Can you imagine how horrific it must’ve been for a trained warrior to kill himself?

Even now, the boy looked miserable. Probably dragged here against his will.

The third one, the fourth disciple—I couldn’t remember his name, but I didn’t recall him being any better.

My gaze returned to Yang Po.

“Insulting my bodyguard is the same as insulting me.”

“Apologies. I didn’t see the young lord there. Guess she should’ve been bigger.”

“Whether I was there or not isn’t the point, is it?”

“I really didn’t see you, I swear.”

This idiot couldn’t even grasp the core of the conversation.

The only reason he dared act like this was because of my father. Ever since he announced that any disciple could become heir, the weight of being the Heavenly Demon’s son had diminished.

Now punks like this were scrambling ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) to prove they weren’t inferior to the Heavenly Demon’s child.

“You’ve come looking for me multiple times?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“You really don’t know? Gu Pyeongho can no longer practice martial arts.”

“So? What, you want me to be his nurse? Ian, go get a rag. Let’s go wipe his sweat.”

“Young lord! Do you think this is a joke?!”

“We’re not close enough to have serious conversations.”

Yang Po’s tone grew harsher, likely feeling insulted. Hilarious—he drove someone to suicide and gets this worked up over a few mocking words?

“You crippled someone! Take responsibility!”

“I heard your fellow disciple got poisoned with Scattering Qi.”

“Hah! That was your people’s doing!”

“Oh? Is that your story now?”

“No more talk! Give a formal apology!”

I could guess why he was so hellbent on getting one.

The Blood Heaven Butcher hadn’t named a successor. His disciples were desperate to get in his good graces. Yang Po thought forcing me to apologize would earn him merit—make him look like he upheld his master’s honor.

“Do you really think this’ll make your master pick you?”

“What? I came here for justice. For my fellow disciple! Don’t you get it?”

“And what’s the injustice here?”

“Sure, he went too far in the match—but you crushed his arm on purpose!”

He probably thought this was a righteous argument. But he was just dancing on Buddha’s palm.

“Then my father and the Elders of the Eight Demon Lords were wrong, huh?”

“What nonsense are you talking now?”

Hearing those names, Yang Po flinched.

“Well, my father acknowledged my victory and asked what I wanted. Your master didn’t object even once. So what now? Are you saying your master and our cult leader lack your brilliant insight?”

Yang Po stammered.

“Th-That’s not what I meant! You’re twisting my words!”

“No, no. You’re saying the cult leader covered up his own son’s mistake, right?”

His face turned pale.

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

What could he possibly say that would defeat me in an argument?

“Or are you saying the Heavenly Demon has gone senile? Is that it?”

“Shut your mouth! How dare you!”

Yang Po looked to his fellow disciples for support, but they were just as panicked. If they slipped up, it’d look like they were criticizing the Heavenly Demon too.

In the end, Yang Po backed off.

“We’ll leave for now. But this isn’t over.”

“Wait. You’re not going anywhere without apologizing.”

“For what?”

“For insulting my subordinate.”

Only now did they look at Ian. She’d never mattered to them—just the “fat servant” of the Heavenly Demon’s son.

Of course, Ian wanted to let it go.

“I’m fine, Young Master.”

“Well, I’m not. You ran your mouth at my subordinate—now kneel and apologize. I know you won’t mean it, so at least act the part. Let people hear that you knelt.”

Yang Po’s expression twisted.

“You want me to kneel… to that fat bitch?”

“Yep. Would be even better if you slammed your forehead to the ground.”

“You’re insane! I’d rather die than kneel!”

Exactly the answer I wanted.

“Rather die? Now that’s manly. Alright, let’s make your wish come true.”

Chaang.

 

When I drew my sword, Yang Po flinched.

“You really are insane.”

“If you run away like this, word will spread through the sect.”

Yang Po glanced around to see if anyone was watching.

“Not over there. Over here.”

I puckered my lips mockingly.

“This mouth is the one that'll spread it. That the Blood Heaven Butcher’s second disciple ran away in fear of this young lord. Pretty sure your master won’t be thrilled to hear that. You’ll wear the mark of a coward for the rest of your life.”

Yang Po’s expression hardened. He had come to impress his master, but now risked falling from favor instead.

“Either kneel and apologize, or fight me. Your choice.”

“What’s driving you to take this so far?”

“You can come find me. You can beg me to save your fellow disciple. You can even bring a whole crowd for revenge. I’d understand. But what I don’t understand is—why insult my subordinate? Why call her a fat pig? Did you ever buy her a meal? No? Then shut your damn mouth.”

Instead of remorse, Yang Po looked even more offended.

“So you’re really saying you’d kill me… for that pig?”

“Correct.”

His eyes narrowed viciously—just as I expected.

“How dare you look down on me like that!”

“My subordinate is worth a hundred times more than you. No, a thousand—actually…”

Before I could say ‘ten thousand’, Yang Po unsheathed his blade.

Chaang.

“Second Brother, don’t!”

The fourth disciple behind him rushed to stop him, but Yang Po’s eyes were already bloodshot with rage.

“You think you’re untouchable because you beat Gu Pyeongho? Don’t get cocky. I may not be able to kill the cult leader’s son, but I can still chop off an arm to avenge my fellow disciple!”

He truly believed he could defeat me.

If I recalled correctly, my abilities at this time weren’t far above the level of the Blood Heaven Butcher’s disciples. That was thanks to my older brothers, who spent years suppressing me—scorning the Heaven’s Martial Vessel I was born with, preventing me from properly cultivating.

“Too bad you don’t have Scattering Qi Poison.”

“Don’t make me laugh! I’m not Gu Pyeongho!”

Yang Po struck first, launching an aggressive attack.

In my previous life, I learned many times that a warrior’s morals don’t always match their skill.

Yang Po was the same. Despite his trash personality, his swordsmanship was brilliant. Back then, he had enough ability to match me in a fair duel.

But to the me now, he was no different from Gu Pyeongho—beatable in a single breath.

Still, I concealed my strength and met him blow for blow.

Each time Yang Po drove me back, his fellow disciples gasped in admiration.

In contrast, Ian let out a short cry of fear with each strike. She couldn’t interfere—it was a formal duel—but had it not been, she would've jumped in several times already.

Twenty intense exchanges passed. Then I struck.

Until now, I had only matched his rhythm. But now, it was time to show the essence of the Sky-Falling Sword Art.

Like a willow leaf swaying in a gentle breeze, my sword danced lightly.

Whish!
Squelch!

A burst of red sprayed like scattered petals.

My sword pierced through his mouth and out the back of his skull.

Drip. Drip.

In the frozen silence, only the sound of blood dripping from the blade filled the air.

Staring into his fading eyes, I spoke.

“You died because of that mouth. It insulted my subordinate, refused to apologize—and now it’s silenced.”

That mouth also bullied your kind-hearted junior disciple to death. It would have caused even more deaths in the future. But no more.

I withdrew my blade, and Yang Po collapsed forward, blood gushing from his lips.

“Second Brother!”

His fellow disciples rushed over, but it was too late. Yang Po’s corpse was already cold.

They were horrified. They hadn’t expected me to actually kill him. Ian looked even more shocked, staring at me wide-eyed.

The fourth disciple shouted, stunned.

“You killed him?! Young Lord, you truly…!”

“What were you expecting?”

“Can you even handle the fallout from this?!”

I looked at him coldly.

“Your mouth’s just like his.”

Realizing the implication of my earlier words—that Yang Po had died because of his mouth—the fourth disciple clamped his shut like a clam.

“Repeat what happened exactly as it occurred. If you add even one false word… I’ll find you in the middle of the night.”

They carried Yang Po’s body and left. And that’s when I saw it—the youngest disciple smiling with relief. Imagine how tormented he must’ve been, to smile at a man’s death.

He should’ve died under Yang Po’s torment, but now he lived. The cook who laced the rice with Scattering Qi Poison still died, as he was supposed to. But the Blood Heaven Butcher’s youngest disciple—who should have died—had now survived.

Fate remains the same… and yet, it also changes.

Kind-hearted youngest disciple, endure well—and one day, become your master’s greatest successor.

That was my hope, but the rest would depend on his will and effort.

Meanwhile, Ian looked at me like her entire world had collapsed.

“Didn’t you say everyone looks after themselves? That I shouldn’t worry?”

“Stop making that face. This isn’t because of you.”

“...But it is because of me, isn’t it?”

“No. So stop imagining things.”

“Then what could possibly justify this disaster?”

“This isn’t some big deal. I just killed someone who deserved to die.”

“The Blood Heaven Butcher won’t sit quietly over this.”

“He will. There’s nothing to gain from speaking up.”

“You really believe that?”

“Think about it. This all started because his disciple insulted my bodyguard. He could’ve just apologized. But he refused, and died. What does the Blood Heaven Butcher gain from interfering? People will only say he raised a disgraceful disciple.”

“But his pride might be wounded.”

“The Blood Heaven Butcher doesn’t have that kind of pride.”

“How would you know?”

“I just do. Your handsome young master knows everything.”

At my calm reply, Ian finally relaxed a little.

“Well… if you say so.”

“Besides, killing Yang Po only benefits me. Now everyone in the sect will have their eyes on me. If there’s a scorecard for choosing the next successor, this just added a few points.”

I’d crushed Gu Pyeongho in a duel. And now, I’d killed Yang Po. There was no avoiding attention now.

“Wait—did you plan all this?”

“Of course. Killing a disciple of the Blood Heaven Butcher isn’t something you do just because you’re in a bad mood.”

Back during the hunt, I made a strong impression on my father. I needed to keep that momentum going.

“Ian. When someone insults you, it’s the same as insulting me. So don’t ever say ‘it’s fine’ like you did earlier.”

“That was shortsighted of me.”

“From now on, we’ll be dealing with far more important things. Wondering whether the owner of a pile of garbage will get angry because we threw it out? That kind of worthless thinking ends today.”

Her eyes lit up with fierce emotion.

“You truly mean it… Young Master… you’ve really changed.”

“It’s also the reason you need to change.”

Everything I’d gone through these past few days was enough to pull her forward too.

Ian nodded.

“Then I’ll change as well. I’ll grow stronger!”

It won’t be easy. She’ll struggle, hesitate, and doubt herself countless times. Changing a person’s life is never simple. Even what seemed like an effortless transformation for me only happened because of the lifetime I’ve already lived.

“And… thank you, Young Master. When you stood up for me earlier, I was really happy. Truly.”

“You should be thankful. Never forget what happened today.”

She smiled. Not just a polite smile—but a full, radiant one that buried her eyes beneath her cheeks.

Yes. Keep smiling like that. I’ve returned. So from now on—live a life where you can keep smiling like that.