After some time had passed since Jin's battle with Elder Han-Dra,
a deep sense of hatred and contempt had grown inside him toward the Poison Clans.
At the same time, he wanted to understand what was happening within the Murim Alliance,
and why it had begun to stray from a path of justice into something fragmented and incomprehensible.
And so, at present,
Jin was in the southern territories of the Murim Alliance,
Xin'an Province, specifically in the city of Tangshuan.
Inside one of the taverns,
he was sitting as he usually did,
eating his meal and picking up conversations and rumors from around him.
At a nearby table, several townsfolk were talking.
"Have you heard what's happening in the lands between the Alliance and the Demonic Sect?"
"Hmmm, I heard that the one called the Blade Demon carried out several massacres again.
The latest was in Wudang Sect territory."
"From the rumors about him, that person is insane.
He kills humans purely for pleasure…
It seems the entire Demonic Sect is like that.
They truly are demons."
"If he wants to kill so badly, why doesn't he go to the Tower,
or head north and fight the beasts?"
"Hey, seriously…
You know about the agreement between Cheonma, the Alliance Leader, and the Ming Emperor."
"They've forbidden people from entering the Tower.
Especially elders and clan leaders—
they're not allowed under any circumstances.
And Demonic Sect fighters are also forbidden from entering the Northern Sea Palace's territory.
The atmosphere between them is extremely tense."
"They're insane…
They prevent people from fighting in the Tower
and leave them to kill each other instead.
They're even depriving people of easy growth through the Tower
and the excellent resources it provides.
It's as if they know the future."
A few laughs followed.
Jin focused heavily on this conversation,
then remembered
his past talk with Martin about regressors,
and the events within the Demonic Sect that seemed as though Cheonma was controlling every detail.
This thought sank deeply into Jin's mind…
and he began to feel that what Martin had said in the past was correct.
He stood up and walked toward their table.
"Hello… excuse me for interrupting, but—
I don't think it's our place to speak about the Tower.
I don't believe people like us are qualified to know the hidden truths of this world."
Some of the men laughed at his words.
One of them said,
"Kid, you seem young. You don't understand how the world works."
Another added,
"They're obviously monopolizing resources and growth.
Haven't you heard the rumors about the elders' power across the continent lately?"
"They say hundreds have reached the Sword Master realm."
More discussions followed in front of Jin until he spoke again.
"Haaaah… fine.
I still stand by my opinion, but let's leave that aside.
I want to ask you about a few things—can you tell me?"
"Hmmm… fine, kid.
But it depends on what you want."
"I could tell you some fantasy stories about the Poison Clans.
They'll be entertaining, hahahah."
Jin's expression changed.
He wasn't here to joke.
He wanted every piece of information he could obtain.
He spoke in a serious tone.
"I want everything you know about the Blade Demon,
and about the major Poison Clans—
any crimes they've committed, if there are any."
Everyone's expressions changed.
Unease and rejection appeared on their faces.
They asked him,
"You… what are you really trying to ask?
It's better not to search for anything beyond rumors.
Go to the Beggars' Sect if you want other information."
Jin fell silent for a moment…
then placed five gold ounces on the table.
He released pressure toward them and said,
"It would be better for you to talk.
What I do is none of your concern."
At that moment, they realized that the person in front of them
was someone from the deeper world—
at the very least, a Sword Master.
That pressure was not something a normal person could produce.
What was even more terrifying
was that he directed it only at them,
while no one else around felt anything.
So they began talking about everything they knew.
Throughout all of this,
there was a man sitting in a nearby corner.
He didn't look like he was from this continent.
He was listening carefully to their conversation,
even hearing their whispers.
It seemed his senses were sharp enough to catch everything.
He looked at them
and continued listening.
After a while,
Jin left the tavern.
Confusion was evident on his face.
He wandered through the streets without direction, thinking.
There were too many things that didn't make sense.
The agreement to prevent climbing the Tower,
the strict surveillance over it,
and the prohibition of cultural and technological exchange
between this world and Earth.
Something was deeply suspicious.
And Cheonma as well…
Jin's expression turned angry as he thought.
That Blade Demon commits massacres against innocents without reason,
and Cheonma does not intervene at all,
as if it doesn't matter.
Even more troubling—
the events within the sect,
my entry into it,
and the way everything unfolded…
It's as if he knows me.
As if he knows everything and moves the world itself.
No…
He doesn't act like someone who merely knows—
he knows enough to shape events exactly as he wishes.
Cheon Moon-Woo…
Who are you really, by the heavens?
Then—
His thoughts were interrupted by someone standing in front of him.
It was the same man from the tavern.
Jin spoke first.
"Alright.
You were listening back in the tavern, and I ignored you.
But… coming to me yourself?"
The man replied,
"I believe you're already certain
that I have no hostile intentions…"
He looked at Jin's face for a few moments, then—
Shock and unease appeared on his expression.
Not because of what was happening now, but…
It was as if he remembered something.
As if he recognized Jin.
Then he spoke in a tense voice,
"Kid…
I think we're going to need to talk for a bit."
End of Chapter