When Paeung, the person who held the power over the valley died, the result wasnt much different from my expectation.

All those who couldnt fight surrendered and after killing the leader, everything had been resolved right then.

Now, I was the one with the rein as their king and more, but I had no intention of settling with them, so I made a cave of my own.

The guys really liked me. They must have been afraid that I would choose to stay with them. Among them, there must have been people who didnt like Paeung, who now liked me a lot.

-But there is no loyalty.

I snorted at the words of Short Sword.

Could there be loyalty in such a place?

Those imprisoned here were rather sensitive to small things than feelings or emotions. If the damage was not to them, even if the leader died, they wouldnt be sad.

-If they have to, they will hit back.

If I showed even the smallest gap, they would move right then. Wasnt this why we were sealed up without internal qi?

At least it was better to have a face to face meeting with someone you never knew with their qi being sealed.

This way?

Yes. Leave it right there.

Men were moving back and forth in the cave carrying bundles of roots. And that wasnt all. Since they stayed for a long time here, they moved everything and did everything too.

There were quite a few things they helped me with. From making a nice ground to weaving roots and giving me all the things Paeung had used.

I didnt want to, but the bed the man used was pretty good. Before long, the cave seemed like a decent room.

-This looks survivable.

I was prepared enough to live like a human for the month. The one called Gap Chan bowed his head and said.

If there is something to ask, please visit the cave where the roots grow.

Yes.

I wasnt sure what I would want to do with them.

I was going to leave after just one month. So I didnt even have to run into them. At this point I was more interested in finding a way to train the Will of the Sword along with other training methods in the cave.

And time would pass quickly.

Such a pity.

I wasnt sure about internal skills, but if I had to be able to use the innate qi, it would have been nice to practice imagery training while recalling the martial arts of Blood Demon.

-Can he be trusted?

Short Sword asked about Gap Chan who was leaving.

He was the first one I used. At first, he made a fuss saying he didnt want to, but when I said he would die he decided to just nod.

Actually, killing would have been nice.

He can do well on his own.

I need people to look after the tree roots. At first I thought the existence of Paeung was their absolute leader, but after hearing from them it seemed like his presence was more of a detriment to the indiscriminate consumption of tree roots.

If the amount consumed by humans was greater than the speed at which the roots grew then they would die fast but the man was able to control it.

So I asked Gap Chan to take over the, but not to make ridiculous profits or extreme limited usage either.

How could they do that in a situation where everyone was trying to survive together?

-If you leave them, it will go back to normal.

That was something I didnt have to care about. Right now I need things to run smoothly.

What happened after was not my responsibility.

-Well.

Five days passed by in such a manner.

Phew Phew

I was doing pushups with my hands. It had been a long time since I had time to train my body physically.

Grrrr!

From the pond ahead I heard a cry which seemed like an animal. At first glance, it seemed threatening, but would one believe that it was like a cat purring?

It was the sound of my pet snake twisting itself.

Meaning, I should look at it.

Wait, Jaso.

Jaso was the name given to this beast. It was a combination of purple (purple in Korean is Ja) eyes and So, was my family name.

He liked anything I called, so I did name it.

-Isnt it gross?

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Try to get used to it.

Rumble!

The beast seemed a bit odd for how it sounded. It seemed to enjoy the grilled fish issuing game these days.

Just a little more.

The training isnt done. I should perform a hundred of them. Beads of sweat were dripping down my body.

I wonder if Miss Sima is doing fine.

After food, clothing and shelter issues were resolved, I wondered if Sima Young was fine.

With her personality, it wouldnt be odd for her to jump in without her fathers knowledge, but it didnt happen because Sima Chak must be guarding her.

Should I think this as fortunate?

-Look at you thinking about this and that.

Should I not?

Not just Sima Young but I was also worried about my real sister So Yong-yong too.

But since she had a sect, I didnt have to be so anxious about her and Blood Sect was the one I was more confused about, since I, their leader, vanished.

-Shouldnt they have already been beaten by the foxy girl?

Baek Hye-hyang?

Well, it couldnt have gotten that far.

With my teacher and Seo Kalma there and with Blood Stars too, they wouldnt fall so easily. But the longer my absence the more likely it would happen.

-Her?

-You mean the human woman.

-That woman?

-The name is Baek Ryeon-ha, kid

-What brat!

The two were back to fighting again. If I, who was their Blood Demon, didnt appear fast then they would be left with no choice but to use Baek Ryeon-ha as the proxy.

But she was the legitimate heir.

-You think so?

Uh?

-The crazy old man might be already running all around looking for you.

Maybe in the past I wouldnt have believed it, but I think he might be doing it now. I wasnt sure when but our ties felt so strong.

-This is a relationship, Wonhwi.

Iron Sword said it in an emotional voice making me smile. It wasnt an easy thing to hold a strong bond from a bad start. Even after returning, the fate seemed difficult to fathom.

And doing push ups like that, I was lost in thought when I heard someone outside the cave.

Is Lord So here?

A familiar voice made me stand upright.

Yes.

He would always come here and I had no idea why.

Lord So. Could you please step outside?

I leaned down with a smile at the pleading voice. The man outside calling me Lord So was saying so because he was afraid of Jaso.

That was why no one stepped into the cave. Outside the hole, I could see the face of a man with a beard.

-He comes often.

-Must be here for the fish.

As they said, the person had been coming here for the past two days. Even in the cave rumors seemed to be spread around.

As news spread that I killed Paeung, those who were around and heard that I was the new leader here, came to find me.

-So annoying.

As Short Sword said, some of them expressed their intention to serve me, but I refused.

How long would I even be here?

-It isnt a big deal. Compared to humans who are like bugs.

-Uhh.

Sometimes it felt odd.

As Blood Demon Sword said, there were those who came to barter for fish and they would bring in dead rats, worms or more things.

lghtnvlubm fr bttr ur rn

I had no intention of accepting, so I just gave them a fish for free.

Since we have many.

On the wall of the cave where I turned my head were ten more fishes hanging over the fire.

I was worried about there not being enough fishes but whenever my lovely Jaso would come up the pond, it would make sure to bring in fishes with it.

Thanks to this, I wasnt worried about the quantity of fish decreasing any time soon.

I shouted back at the hole.

Do you need fish?

The other bearded man asked for fish. But unlike those who wanted to eat, the man came for someone called Wolno.

The one called Wolno belonged to the other group. The man said he was here for the sake of his leader who was getting worse with each passing day.

So I would give him the fish.

I was grilling the fishes so would five of them work?

With this politeness, I would give five anytime.

I would appreciate it, but that isnt why I am here.

What?

This wasnt it? He continued with a bitter voice.

He wanted to see his benefactor before he died.

Ah

It seemed like this Wolno man was about to die for sure.

When I entered the cave where they were staying, I couldnt help but frown.

The old man with pale face shrouded in shaggy beard and long white hair descended till the sides, covering the eyes too.

It seemed like this was the leader of the oldies group.

What surprised me was not the one dying but the three staying by the side. All of them were seriously injured.

Some missing an arm, long scars on the faces, like being attacked by a beast.

Didnt they say that there were 8 of them?

The others couldnt be seen. And including the man with the beard, it seemed like half the number.

It was hard to ask anything because of how things looked.

Haa haa

At that time, the old man called Wolno got up, struggling.

Elder!

The men around tried to dissuade him, but it didnt work. To this, I approached and dissuaded him.

Elder. Please lie down.

The old man smiled with a pale face.

Cough, cough, the benefactor to my life comes and I stay laying down? That doesnt work right.

I was quite amazed to see the eyes of a dying man that peered in a straight and clear manner.

The old man put his hand and fist together as he bowed his head.

Ahh

To have such dignity after being locked in a place like this for 20 years.

He was surely respectable.

And the Wolno old man spoke, Thanks to your grace this old man got the chance to speak well before dying. Thank you for letting me pass away in a good way.

Blood was already flowing down from the corner of his lips. It was black blood.

I responded with a light bow.

How can you say that? If there is anything we can do in the land, it is to help each other.

At the words, a smile crept across Wolno.

Hahaha. What a joy to see a fine young man before I pass. But a pity too.

What do you mean?

Young people like you must have a lot of work to do, and yet you are confined in a place like this. And it isnt far for me, but Cough.

Before he could finish talking, Wolno coughed and blood continued to drip down looking quite dangerous for his condition.

Elder!

You need to lie down.

lghtnvlubm fr th bt nvl rdng rn

In the end, Wolno couldnt win over them and rested. Perhaps since he was on the verge of dying, he looked quite detached, like a saint.

I walked over to him.

Elder. Is there anything you would like to say to your family or other people there?

At my words he had a bitter smile.

What is the point when we cannot go out?

We never know. How do I know if the people standing by have the luck of the heavens?

I couldnt just tell them I would leave after a month cause once the rumors spread then the situation would be embarrassing.

I just wanted to pass on the old mans will to the outside world.

Do tell me.

He took a deep breath at my words. His eyes looked and I assumed that he was thinking of his family and friends.

Huhuhu. All dying people must look bad. It has been a while since I saw a young man like you.

Stop talking about all that and speak about the important thing here.

But he shook his head.

It is okay. Thank you for saying it though.

Elder.

This old man has already lost all his family and friends. Although the only remaining daughter managed to run, the life and death seems uncertain. There is no way escaping was possible from their hands.

It seemed like there was something he couldnt simply tell. Still, before he left I asked him to say something to relieve him.

You never know? If I ever get out of here and meet your daughter, I will make sure to speak.

At my words, his face contorted as tears began to descend.

He didnt show it, but the last one left had to really be his only blood left.

He cried and coughed as he added.

Cough cough, thank you, really. When you say it, I really want to speak about all that I have been holding within my heart.

Do speak.

Wolno stared at me blankly and nodded.

I will let you know. Ha-ryung. I am sorry that you went through such harsh situations all because of your father and ancestors who couldnt do anything. If you are alive, even if this father dies, I will turn into a vengeful spirit and save

Wolno frowned

What is with you?

He looked at my face and I looked shocked at the name he just spoke out.

You said Ha-ryung?

Yes.

Could this be a coincidence?

Ha-ryung was the name of my mother. There was no way that there was a single name being used all over the plains but when he said it, it felt odd, and I remembered his words.

I made sure she escaped but her life and death is uncertain

This was what confused me.

What is it?

Wolnos expression, which looked at me, was now doubtful.

He seemed to have guessed that something was odd with my reaction. And as his eyes turned alert, the Iron Sword said.

-Wonhwi

Wait a minute. This

-I didnt know because of the hair turning all white and his sickness changing, but from the face I know him.

What?

Iron sword said to me.

-This old man Ha Seong-wun, the leader of the Flying Crane Moon family.

What was that?

-It has to be him.

I was shocked at the words but Wolno looked at me with a questionable expression.

It was as if he had suspected something might be wrong, like me being the enemy.

Who are you? Do you know my daughter?

h ltt nd mt ulr nvl t lghtnvlubm

The men guarding him too began to turn alert and I immediately pulled out the jade plaque from the sleeve.

And placed it right for the old man to see, and his eyes looked shocked to the extreme.