Chapter 101 –

“Master Jin, are you okay?!”

Jang Chuhyung shouted as he ran toward the guest house, carrying the limp body of Jin Cheon-woo on his back. His voice trembled with urgency, lit by the moonlight. Though they were rushing back, it felt like the guesthouse was growing farther away instead of closer.

“Master Jin!”

“…Yeah… I’m okay.”

The weak voice came from Jin Cheon-woo.

They had been through a lot together since meeting, but Jang Chuhyung had never heard Jin Cheon-woo speak with such little strength before.

Clenching his fists, Jang Chuhyung growled.

“Who did this to you, Master? Should I go back and get revenge?”

“…Haha, they were strong…”

Though Jin tried to laugh, it was obvious he had no strength left. His fading voice made Jang grit his teeth harder.

He blamed himself. He had trained so hard to stand beside Jin Cheon-woo, but he still wasn’t strong enough. Maybe if they had been together during the fight, things could’ve ended differently.

“I’ll become stronger! I won’t complain anymore! So please… please don’t die… Waaaah!”

Tears ran down Jang Chuhyung’s face as he cried out. Jin Cheon-woo’s condition was that serious—it felt like his life was slipping away with each breath.

It was like watching a candle flicker just before it goes out.

Suddenly, Jin Cheon-woo spoke again, very faintly.

“So I’m finally dying… and now you’ve grown up.”

“Stop saying that! You’re not going to die! I’ll save you no matter what!”

Maybe touched by his words, Jin gave a soft laugh.

“Don’t worry… I won’t die.”

(‘Because I have Chae So-ha,’) he whispered, though Jang Chuhyung didn’t catch it. All he could do was run even faster.

Soon, the guesthouse appeared before him. Kicking open the door, he rushed inside, ignoring the shocked innkeeper, and headed straight toward the annex.

“Doctor! Doctor!”

He kicked open the door to where Chae So-ha was staying.

Chae So-ha looked up in surprise. The moment she saw Jin Cheon-woo on his back, she jumped up from her seat.

“Master Jin?!”

He was covered in blood. Even without removing his clothes, it was obvious how serious his wounds were. Sword cuts all over… and his internal injuries were no less dangerous.

Though he was breathing, the sound was faint—like it could stop at any moment.

Chae So-ha quickly prepared the bed, and Jang Chuhyung gently laid Jin Cheon-woo down.

Tear—!

Chae So-ha immediately tore his clothes without hesitation and assessed his injuries. She spoke quickly:

“Boil some water!”

“Ah—okay! But Master Jin—”

“Now!”

Jang Chuhyung, terrified by her urgent tone, hurried out.

Chae So-ha’s hands moved fast. First, she wiped the blood with clean cloth. The wounds were worse than she’d feared. If it had been anyone else, they would’ve died instantly.

On top of that, his internal organs were damaged—his blood congested from within.

Clenching her teeth, she turned to gather her medicine supplies. But then—

Suddenly, Jin Cheon-woo grabbed her wrist.

“Master?!”

“If I can just… look okay on the outside… that’s enough.”

“What?”

“Just make me look like I can walk normally by tomorrow morning. Please…”

Chae So-ha froze, staring at him in disbelief.

He was in critical condition. No sane doctor would believe such a thing was possible. And yet…

“…I have someone I need to meet tomorrow.”

“Are you crazy? How can you even say that in your condition?!”

“…Because I trust you can do it.”

And with that, Jin Cheon-woo closed his eyes.

Panicked, Chae So-ha checked his pulse. Thankfully, it was still beating. That at least meant he wasn’t giving up on life.

She sighed in relief.

As she shook her head, her gaze shifted to the corner of the room.

Namgoong Baek and Namgoong Yeon stood frozen in shock.

“…What happened here…?”

“What do you mean? Our Master just caused one big mess.”

Namgoong Baek swallowed hard. His eyes darted until they landed on Jin Cheon-woo’s chest… where a half-fallen mask was revealed.

He froze.

He knew what that mask meant.

It confirmed all his doubts. Everything he thought was a dream… was real. And now he even knew the true identity of the sword that had taken down Mo Yong-hyeok.

Namgoong Yeon was just as shocked. Her expression was filled with confusion, not knowing how to process what she saw.

Chae So-ha gave a small smirk.

“I can tell what you’re thinking. If you want to tell someone about Master Jin… go ahead. Just be sure you can handle what comes after.”

“…!”

She didn’t even look at them. Her hands kept working as she inserted acupuncture needles into Jin Cheon-woo’s body.

The bleeding finally began to stop.

Then, Namgoong Baek asked with a shaky voice:

“Was it really… Master Jin who did that to Mo Yong-hyeok? Why…?”

“There must be a reason we don’t know. Master Jin isn’t the kind of person to hurt someone just for fun. And even now…”

Chae So-ha glanced out the window.

The noise outside had quieted.

Whoever fought Jin Cheon-woo must’ve been incredibly strong… perhaps even on the level of a martial arts master.

If it was someone like Ak Gu-cheon—then this eerie silence made perfect sense.

Just then, flames rose in the direction of the Chohyeonse household.

Whether it was Ak Gu-cheon or someone else, a terrifying fire had broken out there—so fierce they could feel the heat from here.

“I’m back!”

At that moment, Jang Chuhyung burst in with the hot water, placing it on the floor before running to Jin Cheon-woo’s side.

“Master Jin is going to be okay, right?! I can trust you?!”

“…Don’t worry. He told me to make sure he can walk by tomorrow morning. So I’ll make it happen.”

With a deep breath, Chae So-ha got to work. She soaked a cloth in the hot water and began cleaning the wounds. Then she stitched the cuts and applied medicine with practiced hands—smooth and professional.

“You two over there—don’t just stand around. I’ll tell you what herbs to boil. Go prepare the decoction.”

“…Understood.”

Namgoong Baek nodded and obeyed.

* * *

Meanwhile…

“Urgh… cough!”

Yeom Ji-hak leaned against a tree, coughing up blood. His body was ruined—barely able to stand, trembling all over. But he kept moving forward with sheer willpower.

Suddenly, he ground his teeth.

Two figures appeared in his mind—one had taken his eye, and the other had defeated him completely.

It was the greatest humiliation he’d ever suffered.

His rage burned like wildfire.

“Who… who were they?!”

He was no amateur. He could usually guess a person’s origin just from their martial arts. But these two…

They weren’t from any of the Nine Great Sects.

They weren’t even close to Gwan Baek’s martial style, though strong.

The one who defeated him was even more savage and beast-like.

He narrowed his eyes.

“…Beast Palace?”

Yes, it was somewhat similar to Beast Palace’s martial arts.

But also different—too different to be sure.

Still, if it was someone from Beast Palace… one person came to mind:

The missing Beast Combat Emperor.

One of the few people powerful enough to defeat him.

“I need to confirm this…”

Just as he made his vow, the bushes nearby rustled.

He tensed, preparing for another fight.

But it wasn’t an enemy.

“…Aren’t you Lord Shin of the Snake Horns?”

“Kekeke… you look like a wreck.”

A hunchbacked old man appeared, coughing and laughing mockingly.

Behind him were two more people.

Yeom Ji-hak scowled.

“…Mo Yong?”

“Kekeke. Yes. He helped me out a little. Right, Sword Emperor?”

“…Indeed.”

Mo Yong Jungcheon nodded, his eyes locked on Yeom Ji-hak—curious who could’ve done this to such a powerful warrior.

Even someone called the Sword Emperor wouldn’t be able to defeat Yeom Ji-hak easily.

“I came here hoping to meet you… but it looks like something happened. Who did this to you?”

“Enough talk. Just heal me. That’s your job.”

Lord Shin clicked his tongue and stepped forward to support Yeom Ji-hak.

Then he looked at Mo Yong Jungcheon.

“You should go check it out. He clearly won’t tell me anything.”

“…I’m not your subordinate.”

“But I helped you. Don’t forget that.”

Mo Yong Jungcheon didn’t reply—just frowned.

“…Kekeke. I trust you’ll handle it.”

Whoosh—

Thick fog suddenly swirled around Lord Shin and Yeom Ji-hak.

Then, like magic, it spread outward and disappeared—taking both of them with it.

Mo Yong Jungcheon stood there in silence, stunned.

They had vanished without a trace.

It was like… immortals riding the clouds.

He clenched his fists.

“I’ll make that power mine someday.”

With a firm resolution, he turned his head.

A sharp-eyed young man was waiting beside him.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Father.”

It was Mo Yong-hyeok—standing perfectly fine, completely opposite of what Jin Cheon-woo had expected.