Sitting in front of the room within the clinic, I waited.

My head was filled with complicated thoughts. I wasnt sure on how to explain this to my grandfather.

[You really learned the martial arts of the Ikyang So family?]

Me defeating a famous warrior in one hit made my grandfather wonder what martial arts I used.

At first I thought I would say it was martial arts handed down by the South Heavenly Swordsman, but there was no reason to hide things from my grandfather.

-He will eventually figure out the truth.

Short Sword was right.

It was because lying to him bothered me too much. Maybe if I lied, he would even hate us.

-Interesting. How would that old human react if he knew you were the Blood Demon?

Blood Demon Sword always had to act like this?

Well, I only wanted to get the doctor to work.

Ah!

A middle-aged man who seemed like the doctor, arrived with a bamboo head on his head.

Through the bamboo hat, I could see that he was looking at grandfather and one armed man in a private room.

Both of them had acupuncture needles inserted in their bodies. Since I was concerned, I asked him.

How are they?

It is odd how they were even alive without any treatment?

This wasnt my fault but I felt bad.

Are they in such a bad state?

Your grandfathers heart is in a bad condition due to his old age but with the right care from the herbs he will get better.

This was good, the herbs we provided him must have helped.

His eyes are fine?

It seems like he hadnt seen light in a long time, and if we cover the eyes with cloth soaked in medicine during the day, being consistent for 5 to 6 days, he will be fine.

Ahh. Thank god.

I was worried that he wouldnt be able to see.

As for the one armed man, his situation cannot be answered for now.

What do you mean?

The wounds he received are huge and the flesh is currently rotting. So it will be both a matter of internal and external medicine for him to heal and the matter is left under the hands of heaven.

Haa.

Nothing worked out like intended and the wounds did look serious but I thought he would be fine.

It seemed like grandfather was in for a heartbreak

Anyway to save him?

The parts which wouldnt heal were cut down, but the five organs have been touched by the infection. How long the patient endures will be the key.

We wont know that then.

Right.

Can I go inside?

Both of them were given something to sleep and relieve the pain, so leave them alone for now.

Yes.

And he left, while Sima Youn spoke to comfort me.

Young lord, it will be fine.

I hope so too.

A man who stood by my grandfather till the end. I didnt want him to die.

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You havent eaten anything till now, so shall we grab something? The female doctor who assisted them said they sell delicious noodles around the corner.

Sure.

We were empty stomach all day.

Heh, lets go.

She grabbed my wrist and tried to lead me out.

!?

When Mi Yeom, who was seated with us, saw us leaving without asking him, his eyes opened wide. Then he looked at Sima Young and followed us.

As we were finally about to move, someone emerged from another room.

He was the young man we saw outside. He greeted the doctor and hurried toward me.

Guardian. Thank you. How do I repay the favor?

He bowed. The man couldnt enter the clinic because of the woman but since I defeated her, he was able to enter and receive the right treatment he had to take.

-It was a huge thing. Maybe you are liking it? Your lips are twitching.

No. They were not.

I was even a bit embarrassed.

To receive the title of guardian, was to be recognized as someone great. Of course, these days, it was just another term that was denoted to someone great.

-To hear you being called that. Tch!

Blood Demon Sword clicked his tongue. I just tried to ignore him and told the man.

Do not worry about it. I too had to avail the medical services over here. And there are many things I am lacking so dont call me Guardian.

At my words, he smiled.

What does that matter? I am told that even a three year old can learn things. Even more so, you have talent and it has to be recognized.

-He speaks well.

It didnt look like it, but he was the flattering kind. And he had a nice smiling face.

Thank you for saying this. Although I have no idea if you were treated fine.

Hearing this, he shook his head with a bitter face.

The doctor said there was nothing to do about it.

Is it that bad?

I asked what was wrong and the guy hesitated for a moment before saying.

You will find it out anyway, so it is fine to speak. They said they had no choice but to wait until all the given time has passed

Given?

I wasnt sure what this meant. He sighed and added.

Right, you must not understand this. If I fail the test, I will be banned. I was prepared to a certain extent, but for three years I was bound by Dual Martial Forces.

Bound in what way?

To which the young man questioned.

Didnt a great warrior come here to be the successor of the Invincible Wind God?

Uh?

I doubted my ears. The successor?

-Isnt that the title of your father?

Right, Jin Song-baek, one of Eight Great Warriors, Invincible Wind God. But for people to gather to be his successor.

If it isnt rude, may I know what you mean by that?

Huh, I thought, Great Guardian, you were also going to visit the castle of Dual Martial Troops to be his successor, but I guess not.

As you can see my grandfather is

Ahh. I apologize.

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With that, the young man pointed to the window of the room. Through the window I could see many warriors passing on the street.

One or two out of five were equipped with weapons.

The fact that there are so many warriors in the village was because there was a test-like thing happening.

The successor, huh?

Yes. It was an announcement from the Dual Martial Forces. Regardless of the political situation and sects, those who pass the test would inherit the martial arts and become the successor to the clan.

Ha!

This was an odd condition to put.

So those who passed werent necessarily his descendants. But they would get to be the head of his clan? Which was one of the major forces in Dual Martial Forces?

Without conditions?

Sima Young was surprised, she had to intervene.

When she did that, the face of the young man lightened.

Even if he didnt show it, he kept glancing at her due to her beauty and now when she spoke, he felt shy.

At that time, Iron Swords voice rang in my head.

-You did well, Wonhwi.

What?

-My previous owner said one shouldnt be careless. The heart of a woman was like a flickering light in wind.

If it would have shaken that easily, she would have changed to someone else already.

These days I wonder if Iron Sword was just speaking his own ideas.

In any case the young man who couldnt take his eyes off Sima Youngs appearance, consciously spoke.

There are no restrictions on participating. And it was said that age or sex doesnt matter.

Was that why so many warriors were gathered here?

Seeing them on the street felt so odd, so there was a reason behind it?

Considering that even the most notorious evil people were here, it really seemed like nothing else mattered.

But there are a couple conditions.

What?

If one participates and fails, they have to become a disciple of the clan for three years. Like being under their umbrella kind of metaphor.

And it cannot be refused?

If it could be done, we wouldnt have participated at all.

Anyway, it isnt without a cost.

At Sima Youngs words, he pointed to the blood points of his body and said.

Eight needles were stuck in and I was told they would slowly melt into the body, but I didnt like it.

Which was why he came to this doctor.

Then, did the Silver White Tiger was the one that did not want that to happen? It seemed so..

Just what was happening then?

It was rare for a successor to be announced like this. To take one regardless of their sects or clans.

Sima Young didnt seem to understand.

Then he has no disciples or children? I dont understand why he would opt for such a method. Or is this just a plan to bait someone he knew?

Well!

She was right, and even Jin Song-baek seemed unaware that I was his child.

Who would want to miss this chance? How many chances do we have in a lifetime to get such an offer?

That was right.

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He was one of the 12 warriors known to be at their peak in Murim.

Even if Jin Song-baek, one of Eight Great Warriors was personally teaching them, every warrior would flock there.

Three years of living under him was the best condition one would get.

I bowed to the man.

Thank you for telling me.

Thank you? This was a rumor you would have heard from anywhere.

What do you mean?

You are a warrior so skilled that even I thought youd pass the test to be his successor, but I guess I was mistaken.

With those words, the young man took something out of his chest.

It was a plaque with his name on.

This?

There is such a thing as a duty of a warrior, how can I just pass away without doing it? If there is anything I can help later, please find me.

I was quite amazed at this.

[Joo Ye-bin]

Young lord Soso?

-Know him?

Young lord Soso, Joo Ye-bin.

A man nicknamed as Soso because of his nice smile, someone who would gain fame in the future but the reason I was surprised was because this guy would go against the twins in the future.

-He will fight them?

If my memory was right, then yes.

Looking at his skills now, Song Jwa-baek had the upper hand, but it seemed hard to confirm.

We met his true rival then?

Can I know the great guardians name?

I hesitated at his words. But he was kind enough to do it so I didnt want to lie.

I politely took his plaque.

So Wonhwi.

So Wonhwi? So Wonhwi!?

Joo Ye-bins eyes widened.

He knew me?

He was puzzled holding my plaque in his hands.

It is my honor to meet you!

What are you talking about?

To meet one of the Two New Stars in Murim!

What?

Two New Stars?

What was this?

I pulled my hand out of his grasp.

I think you are mistaking something.

Arent you Great Guardian So Wonhwi, the successor of South Heavenly Swordsman?

That is right.

Right. That is it! Didnt you appear like a star in the tournament as the disappeared warriors successor and saved countless warriors by seeing through the plans of the Blood Sect with another disciple of the Eight great Warriors?

!!

lghtnvlubm fr th bt nvl rdng rn

-What just happened?

That was what I wanted to ask.