The sword attack hit with precision.

But it didn’t just block the incoming energy head-on.

Instead, I redirected the opponent’s power using the least amount of my own inner energy, sending his sword energy flying in all directions.

Every time our swords clashed, the deadly aura meant for me was deflected and exploded harmlessly elsewhere.

“W-What?!”

“What is that?!”

“H-He’s insane…!”

Starting with Jang Chuhyeong, everyone watching gasped in shock. The technique I had used was close to god-like.

Even Guh Yangcheol looked at me with shaking eyes.

“What… what is this?!”

His hands were trembling in disbelief. Even though he had used his strongest technique, I had completely nullified it.

Over a dozen sword energy attacks didn’t even leave a scratch on me.

Maybe because he didn’t want to accept that, his face turned red with rage, and he charged again.

“You bastard! Who are you?!”

“Are you really asking? I’m the youngest son of the Jin family of Luoyang.”

“Urgh!”

Shhhk!

Guh Yangcheol gritted his teeth and slashed again with lightning-fast sword moves.

But unlike before, his attacks had lost a lot of their strength. He was clearly shaken and confused.

His moves lost their sharpness, and even his footwork became messy.

He was skilled enough to lead a unit of ten elite warriors at a young age, so the shock of his failed ultimate attack hadn’t left him yet.

That was my opening.

Slash!

With a simple, clean move, I left a shallow cut on his side.

Guh Yangcheol roared and swung harder.

He attacked like he didn’t care about defense anymore—trying to kill me with brute strength alone.

I shifted my sword.

Clang!

I deflected his powerful strike and stepped to the side. He lost balance, and I quickly swept his leg.

Thud!

“Grrgh!”

“You drop something on the ground?”

My taunt made his face burn even redder.

He jumped up, drawing more inner power, and an intense pressure filled the air.

Even those watching the battle looked anxious and concerned. That’s how strong his aura was.

“This ends now. I’ll kill you.”

“How many times do you plan to say that?”

Grit—!

He clenched his teeth and focused.

Suddenly, he disappeared.

In an instant, he closed the distance and appeared right in front of me—like a storm.

But—

Thwip—THUD!

“Gack!”

He was too fast for his own good. Like a charging wild boar, all I had to do was predict it and counter.

My hidden weapon pierced through his stomach.

He gasped, completely shocked.

Staggering, he tried to swing again.

But now I could clearly see an even bigger opening.

Clang!

I blocked twice and punched him in the face.

Thwack!

Then I stabbed again.

My sword struck his shoulder where another hidden weapon was already embedded. Guh Yangcheol gritted his teeth, enduring the pain.

He knew—if he screamed or lost balance here, he’d die.

Then, he grabbed my blade with his bare hand.

“Heh… Now you can’t do anything, right?”

He laughed, holding the sword tightly and swinging his own.

Right then, I let go of my sword and extended my hand.

Thwip—Thwip!

Two hidden darts pierced his chest.

Blood gushed from his mouth as he stumbled backward. I followed him and kicked the sword stuck in his shoulder.

Smash!

“Gaaaah!”

The sword went right through his shoulder and slammed into a tree, forcing it out of his body.

I didn’t miss the moment.

I grabbed the sword and slashed.

Slice—!

From his shoulder to the opposite side of his chest.

Shraaak—

His heart, organs, and bones were all cut clean through.

“Guhhh…!”

Blood sprayed like a fountain.

His body split open and collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Thud!

The sound echoed loudly—everyone could tell he was dead.

I walked toward the body.

He didn’t move at all, proving he was completely dead. I looked at his finger and pulled off a ring.

It looked ordinary.

Holding it, I turned to look at the others.

I saw the trembling eyes and heavy breathing of his subordinates. They clearly understood what had just happened.

I smiled and gave a new order.

“Don’t let a single one escape. Kill them all.”

“Yes—!!”

The warriors shouted in unison and charged with renewed force.

Even though the enemy was still skilled, our warriors began pushing them back with fierce momentum.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The battle wasn’t over yet.

But it would end soon.

The enemy was still shocked by their leader’s death, and our side was pressing hard.

The only one still holding himself together seemed to be Cheolgyun—the second-in-command.

I raised my hand and looked at him.

Thwip—THWACK!

A hidden dart pierced through his skull.

He fell like a puppet with its strings cut.

With their deputy down too, the remaining enemies panicked.

One of them looked at me.

At the same moment, I aimed at him.

Realizing something, his eyes filled with fear.

Thwip—THUD!

Another dart pierced his heart.

He fell, and the enemy group collapsed.

“Kill them!”

“Don’t let up!”

Our warriors knew—we had the upper hand. They attacked mercilessly.

It became a true bloodbath.

I sat down on a nearby rock and let out a breath.

Huff…

I had used my inner energy to suppress the poison in my body, and now I could feel my strength fading.

I wanted to close my eyes, but I stayed alert.

I couldn’t afford to collapse.

If I fell now, the enemy might regain hope.

So I endured.

Just me staying conscious was enough to keep them afraid.

“Move quickly!”

Yoo Hyun, the chief officer stationed at the bottom of the mountain, began climbing as soon as he saw the signal that the battle was over.

Dozens of warriors and a doctor followed behind.

When they arrived at the battlefield…

Yoo Hyun was speechless.

There were bodies everywhere—enemies and allies alike.

He had tried to plan things carefully to avoid casualties, but clearly, skill differences had decided the battle.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

It was a sad outcome, but he had to accept it.

He looked around, searching for someone specific.

He quickly spotted Jin Chunwoo sitting on a rock.

“Master Jin! Are you okay?!”

He rushed over.

Something felt strange.

Next to Jin Chunwoo lay the body of Guh Yangcheol, someone Yoo Hyun knew was powerful.

It was clear that Chunwoo had fought him—but Chunwoo had almost no injuries.

Yoo Hyun blinked and looked back and forth between the body and Chunwoo.

“I’m fine. Compared to the others, I barely got hurt.”

Chunwoo gestured toward the other Jin warriors, including Guh Gunbaek and Jang Chuhyeong. They were all covered in blood and looked exhausted.

Compared to them, Chunwoo really did look okay.

Yoo Hyun gave a bitter smile.

“You’ve really… changed lately, Master Jin.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You were always impressive, but lately you’re… even more so. Haha.”

Yoo Hyun shook his head.

From the Hong Guhyeon incident to now—what Chunwoo had achieved was hard to believe.

Though Yoo Hyun didn’t know all the details, it was obvious that Chunwoo had killed Guh Yangcheol.

As far as he knew, Chunwoo only trained a little in childhood. How could someone like that defeat a top-tier expert?

“Did you have a stroke of fortune or something?”

“Of course not. I just got lucky.”

Yoo Hyun laughed, not believing it.

He had traveled and seen many things, but what Chunwoo did was unreal.

Maybe Chunwoo had some divine talent… enough to master martial arts with ease.

Everyone had known he was a genius from a young age.

He had become the heir despite having half-siblings—and not just because he was the main wife’s son.

He had been called a prodigy.

But now, even his martial arts were monstrous?

There was no other word—he was a true monster.

Then Chunwoo stood up from the rock.

“Collect all the enemies’ belongings and burn their bodies.”

“Without checking their identities or techniques?”

“It won’t help.”

His voice was firm.

He sounded completely certain that there was nothing to be found.

Yoo Hyun had questions, but said nothing and nodded.

They had already experienced this once.

If Chunwoo said nothing would be found, then nothing would.

“Also, give proper funerals for our fallen. Make sure their families are treated well.”

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

They had died for the Jin family. The family’s honor wouldn’t be stained by being stingy.

At that moment—

Stumble—

Chunwoo’s body wobbled as he tried to walk.

“Master Jin?!”

Yoo Hyun rushed to support him.

Chunwoo’s body felt limp, like a puppet with cut strings.

Up close, he could see how pale Chunwoo’s face was, and his breathing was ragged.

His body burned with fever.

“Doctor! Get the doctor!”

A physician nearby ran over quickly.

But then Chunwoo, still weak, reached out and grabbed Yoo Hyun’s shoulder.

“Haa… I’m fine… Just need to rest… Please take care of the others first.”

“Master Jin! You’re seriously unwell!”

“I said… I’m fine.”

Chunwoo tried to stand but collapsed back down.

Then he looked at Guh Gunbaek, who had rushed over with the doctor, and gave a weak smile.

“Sorry, Gunbaek… Could you carry me home?”

“Of course.”

Gunbaek lifted Chunwoo on his back.

As he did, Chunwoo finally relaxed and closed his eyes. All the strength left his body.

In the distance, someone shouted,

“I’ll send a doctor with you—go quickly!”

“Yes, sir!”