The Sado Union and the Martial Alliance.

The Martial Alliance and the Sado Union.

The orthodox and the unorthodox.

The righteous path and the demonic path.

For now, they might appear as opposites, walking in absolute opposition. But Seolhwa knew that before long, the two forces would face a situation in which they must join hands.

A common enemy that threatened the martial world—the Blood Demon Cult.

There was less than a year left before the Blood Demon Cult revealed its existence and emerged into the world.

If the Blood Demon himself was, like her, a being repeating his life, then the Sado Union, which had not existed in the previous life, was a variable outside of his predictions.

If the Martial Alliance that did not collapse under the Blood Demon Cult’s schemes became the sword that opposed them, then the Sado Union would be the dagger.

When the sword and the dagger became one to stand against the Blood Demon Cult and the Blood Demon himself, only then could the martial world of the orthodox and the unorthodox together claim victory.

That was the vision Seolhwa sought to realize.

For that to happen...

Not only must the orthodox martial world’s perception of the Sado Union change, but the two forces must share information.

Especially all °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° information concerning the Blood Demon Cult that would soon appear—without exception.

“Please deliver to the Namgoong Clan all information you obtain from the Sado Union.”

Until the Martial Alliance and the Sado Union clasped hands, Maeng Deungho would serve as the link between them.

“Their purpose, their exchanges, their intentions—any information at all. Could you do this?”

“It is not difficult.”

Though he disliked the thought of Surochae entering under the banner of the Sado Union, it was a way to repay the Namgoong Clan, who had saved Soyak’s life.

What could be difficult about that?

“I will do so.”

****

After finishing her discussion with Maeng Deungho, she attended the small banquet Surochae had prepared.

Though called a banquet, it was really a raucous meal accompanied by the rough music and clamor unique to river bandits.

Seolhwa and Ryeong were seated in the Hall Master’s pavilion, situated at the highest point of Surochae.

Though their guests were precious, Maeng Deungho had arranged it discreetly, shielding them from the eyes of his subordinates who did not know they were from the Namgoong Clan.

“Surochae has changed for the better.”

Seolhwa spoke as she looked down at the lively, boisterous view.

Come to think of it, even four and a half years ago, Maeng Deungho’s Guiyeong Stronghold had been cheerful in atmosphere.

It had felt less like a den of river bandits and more like a village gathered along the water’s edge.

“In the end, Surochae is still a place where people live.”

Maeng Deungho answered as he tipped his cup.

“Though we demand tolls from those passing the Yangtze, we are not without humanity.”

“Is that so.”

Seolhwa let a bitter smile form.

That is only because you are its master.

In her previous life, the Sixth Blood Lord had not only taken tolls but human lives without hesitation.

Because of the nature of blood arts, which required draining the energy of the living to grow stronger. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The waters under the rule of the Sixth Blood Lord had been rivers of terror.

In contrast, Maeng Deungho...

“If the toll is paid, we even escort them to their destination. That reduces complaints from those who use the river.”

He knew how to coexist.

Those using the waterways benefited from not having to hire escorts, while Surochae profited from the tolls.

“All of it is simply for the sake of making a living, is it not?”

Maeng Deungho drained his cup in one gulp and laughed heartily.

Though four and a half years ago she had merely slain the Sixth Blood Lord and placed Maeng Deungho in his stead, Seolhwa now truly thought it fortunate that he was Surochae’s master.

“How long will you be staying?”

“I intend to return at first light tomorrow.”

“So soon? You could remain a while longer.”

“No.”

Seolhwa shook her head.

“There is much work to do at the main house. I must go directly.”

“I see.”

Maeng Deungho’s expression showed a trace of regret.

“I have thought so before, but you are not an ordinary child. It is hard to believe you are the same age as Soyak.”

“If one looks closely, there is quite a difference.”

Seven years, in fact.

And her mental age was beyond comparison.

“Even so, compared to those of your age, it is the same. Sitting across from me, I feel no sense of strangeness. It is as if I am conversing with another Hall Master.”

Though she was a young guest, her age made this an almost absurd scene.

“I know you are more mature than your peers, but do not overexert yourself. The more one hurries, the sooner one tires.”

It was advice not to the Namgoong Clan’s honored guest, but to Seolhwa as Soyak’s friend—an elder’s sincere concern.

Thinking of Soyak as he faced Seolhwa, Maeng Deungho had spoken as a father.

Knowing that sincerity, Seolhwa nodded willingly.

“Yes. I will.”

With a faint smile, Maeng Deungho raised his cup again.

The night of Surochae was drawing to a close.

****

The next morning, Seolhwa and Ryeong departed at dawn.

Maeng Deungho escorted their boat until it left the waters under Surochae’s authority.

By the time their vessel reached the remote riverbank of Xiaoho, the sun was already well past its height and sinking westward.

After bidding Maeng Deungho farewell, Seolhwa stopped by a Sado Union branch before returning to the clan.

There, she received a detailed report from the Hao Sect Master, who awaited her, regarding the Sado Union’s situation and the affairs of the Central Plains.

Seolhwa relayed to her the conversation she had shared with the Hall Master of Surochae and ordered that envoys be dispatched there soon.

By the time she finished all matters at the Sado Union and returned to the Xiaoho branch, night had fallen.

The following dawn, after morning training, she and Ryeong planned to return immediately to the main house. Each retired to their own quarters.

Chirrrp... chirrrp....

The cries of insects gently stirred the silence of the night.

Seolhwa lay upon her bed, gazing through the open window at the night sky.

In the overcast heavens, no stars could be seen.

The moon, hidden behind clouds, could not shine freely.

Chirrrp... chirrrrp....

Perhaps it was because of this.

The night was darker than most.

After staring for a while at the gray-blanketed sky, Seolhwa finally closed her eyes.

Chirrrrp... rrrrp....

Whooosh—!

Flames rose.

A fierce blaze devoured heaven and earth, and ash scattered in all directions.

The estate was burning.

The Namgoong Clan estate.

“Kyahhh!”

“Save me! Save me—!!”

Screams burst out from everywhere.

“No, Hwarin! No...!”

Women wailed, clutching children who no longer breathed.

Clang! Clang-clang!

“Block them! Protect the children and the elders! Form a line!”

Men shouted as they fought for their lives.

Whooosh—!

The view shifted.

Within the fire, within the raging inferno, there were people.

They cried out in voices full of resentment.

“Even in hell, we will not forget! The day will come when you shed tears of blood!”

A man beheaded.

“You wretch cursed by heaven! Have you neither parent nor child?!”

A man weeping blood.

“Was it you who killed my elder brother?! I will tear you apart with my own hands!”

A man with limbs severed.

And then—

Grandfather.

“How bitter, how unjust! I trusted you, and yet was this truly your doing?”

Grandfather?

“Did you not hear the cries of the children? Did you not see the tears of the women? How could you ignore the wails of the elders, turn your back on the blood of the warriors? How could you!”

I... I didn’t know. I didn’t ignore them. I truly....

“Does saying you did not know erase what was done?”

...!

Namgoong Mucheon shook his head. He was looking right at her as he shook his head.

His figure grew more distant.

G-Grandfather.

And gradually, he faded.

Grandfather!

She reached out desperately, but he was already beyond her grasp.

Grandfather!!

Flash—!

Seolhwa’s eyes opened.

Tap-tap-tap—

A small, rapid drumming sound reached her ears.

Swaaash—

It sounded almost like crashing waves.

She raised her head toward the window. Rain was falling.

Plink.

Raindrops splashed through the open window, striking her face.

Seolhwa frowned.

As she sat up to wipe it away, she realized her eyes were wet.

It was not simply rain—the surroundings were dry.

Wiping away the drops running down her cheeks with the back of her hand, Seolhwa sat listening to the sound of the rain.

The bitterness of that nightmare lingered and would not fade.

Swaaaash—

Seolhwa rose and packed her things.

Though she could not tell the time, it seemed far too late for dawn.

After preparing to return to the main house, she stepped outside to find Ryeong waiting for her.

“Sorry. I overslept.”

“I have not waited long. But it seems it is raining.”

Together, Seolhwa and Ryeong looked out at the rain falling over the branch estate.

“I will have rain gear brought.”

“Yes. Let us depart before we are delayed further.”

As the two, clad in rain gear, were about to leave the estate—

“Young Lady!!”

A rough shout pierced through the downpour.

Seolhwa and Ryeong turned at once.

Standing beneath the heavy rain was Namgoong Hyeok, Lord of the Black Dragon Unit.

His face looked as though it were about to collapse.

Swaaaash—

Tap—tap-tap—!

Swaash—

Tatatat—!

Swaaaash—

A world where all sound but the rain was dead.

In less than one shichen, Seolhwa, Ryeong, and the Black Dragon Unit Lord had entered Anhui.

Seolhwa, who had run without pause, employing light-foot techniques, was forced to stop the moment they entered Hefei.

Hah... hahh....

Swaaaash—

White flags.

Along the streets of Anhui, white flags lined the way like a procession.

“Hhhk... hhhhk....”

“...sniff....”

Merchants hung white flags at the entrances of their shops.

Families tied white cloth to their gates.

Hah... hahh....

Swaaaash—

Seolhwa’s gaze turned toward the great gates of the Namgoong Clan estate at the far end of the street.

On either side of the gate, great white flags hung, too sodden with rain to flutter.

Swaaaash—

The rain poured down.

So heavy, so merciless was the rain.