Two weeks after that day, Jin returned to Murim.
Of course, he said goodbye to his companions… and to his family.
Well, his lovers and his daughter did not take it easily.
For them, Papa had become a big liar.
Jin did not try to justify himself much.
They would not forgive him anyway.
The first place he went to was the palace where the victims had once been gathered.
He sat on the same rooftop of the neighboring building as before, but this time, it was not the same.
Yun-Hai was there, standing beside one of the side halls, looking at the new place and observing its details.
Then his eyes landed on Jin. He did not think much and went to him directly.
Yun-Hai: You're late, kid.
Jin: I needed some rest.
Yun-Hai looked at him and said nothing for a few seconds.
They sat facing each other, with no table between them.
This meeting had no purpose.
It was simply an ordinary conversation between two people escaping from the world that had shaped them.
Yun-Hai: How are you?
Jin remained silent for a moment.
Jin: Better… well, that's not a complete lie.
Yun-Hai: Haha… yes, you truly are better than before.
Jin looked down at the ground.
Jin: It was hard. I don't think I would've gotten through it so quickly without them.
Yun-Hai: It's good that you have people with whom you can be yourself.
May I pry a little?
Jin stayed quiet for a moment, then smiled at him.
Jin: I don't think that counts as prying, honestly.
Aren't these normal conversations between humans?
Yun-Hai laughed lightly and said: Yes, you're right.
Jin: I have two girls I love. I enjoy watching them get jealous of each other, hahaha.
And I also have a daughter. She's only five years old, yet she bullies her own father.
Damn it, who taught her that?
Yun-Hai couldn't hold back his laughter.
It felt strange to him.
The person in front of him—
a butcher among the butchers of Murim,
a child who had just become a young man burdened with inner struggles,
and also a father with a private family life.
He could only laugh with a pure heart at this natural absurdity—
something he himself could never experience because of the world they lived in.
Jin: Is my daughter bullying me really that funny, old man?
Yun-Hai: Yes, it is funny… but that's not the whole reason.
Honestly… I'm laughing at you.
Despite entering this cruel Murim and enduring all your mental upheavals,
you can still live a normal family life.
By the way… is that child your biological daughter?
Jin: Huh?
Seems like you're jealous, old green man.
It's fine, I won't blame you.
They both laughed lightly.
Then Jin smiled—a sad smile.
Jin: She's… not my biological daughter.
But she's become more than that, truly.
Jin then told him how he found her, how she first called him "Papa,"
and shared other personal things as well.
Yun-Hai smiled sadly in return and spoke:
I think I understand now why that day was so difficult for you…
You truly deserve praise for still wanting to be a good person.
They both smiled and remained silent for a while, staring at the sky.
After a brief silence—
Yun-Hai: Have you heard the new rumors about the Blade Demon?
Jin: No. I've been on the ground for almost two months.
Yun-Hai: I think it'll interest you, since you're part of the Demonic Sect as well.
They say he's no longer working alone.
He now has a young subordinate—black hair, and eyes… blood-red.
If I didn't know you so well, I would've thought it was you.
Jin thought for a moment and couldn't recall anyone else with black hair and red eyes.
Jin: Nothing specific comes to mind. Is there any other information?
Yun-Hai: Hmm… there's a widespread rumor about someone claiming he saw that young man perform martial arts after seeing them only once.
Jin was slightly shocked and asked:
Jin: Are you sure about this? Do you know his age?
Yun-Hai: That's what they say.
Not just the color of his aura… his eyes turn blood-red during battle,
his talent is insane, and they say he's around twenty years old.
It's a strange combination—that's why I asked you.
Jin fell silent.
A brief image flashed through his mind.
Shing Yuan's words.
The destroyed sect.
His desire for revenge against the Blade Demon.
Yuan's monstrous talent.
Jin, internally:
… Shing Yuan… impossible.
Did he really choose a path like this?
No… I must make sure it's truly him.
Yun-Hai: Do you know something?
Jin: … I might know someone who fits that description, but… I can't confirm it's him.
Yun-Hai: … That's fine. You don't have to think about whether he's a friend.
Jin: But if it really is him… I'll know soon.
⸻
Somewhere within the borders of the Demonic Sect—
Shing Yuan stood before a warrior from the Blade Clan.
The warrior was breathing heavily, holding his sword with a trembling hand.
Warrior: … I never thought someone your age could push me this far.
Yuan remained silent.
He was terrifyingly calm for someone in the middle of a fight.
The two charged at each other.
Soaring Blade Art – First Form.
Yuan smiled wickedly as he blocked the attack and thought to himself:
You've made the biggest mistake possible in front of me.
Yuan followed up with his next attack.
Soaring Blade Art – Fifth Form.
The man suffered a deep wound across his chest and panicked.
"You… how did you do that?!"
Yuan: Does it matter? You're going to die anyway.
The warrior suddenly lunged forward—
a direct, powerful strike without any technique.
Yuan used:
Lesser Heavenly Demon Art – Eighth Form.
The warrior's arm was severed.
He looked at his right arm as it fell to the ground.
Warrior: Aah…!
Yuan moved again.
The other arm fell.
The warrior collapsed to his knees, screaming and breathing violently.
Shing Yuan: Hm… still slow.
Warrior, panting: … What is this technique?
Yuan: Why do you like asking questions when you're about to die?
Yuan stepped closer and plunged his hand into the warrior's dantian.
The warrior felt something being pulled out.
Warrior, internally: … My energy?
His body trembled.
Shing Yuan: Don't move. I want to finish this quickly.
The force intensified.
The warrior felt his strength fading, his internal energy disappearing.
Warrior: S–stop…!
Yuan did not stop.
The warrior's facial features began to change—
his face pale, cold sweat forming.
Warrior, internally:
This… this is devouring…
He looked at Yuan with terrified eyes.
Warrior, internally:
This demon… he has mastered forbidden techniques!
The man spoke with extreme difficulty:
Why… are you doing this?
Shing Yuan replied coldly, terrifyingly:
Why? Because you have a lot of internal energy—and that's useful.
He paused briefly.
Shing Yuan: Stealing mana from others really does save time.
The warrior collapsed motionless on the ground.
Yuan stood there, looking at him without any expression.
Then he turned around and left, as if nothing had happened.
This boy was no longer normal.
End of Chapter
⸻