A rumor circulated in the martial world that the Blood Killing Faction Leader had suddenly died of illness one day. In reality, he had been killed by an assassin, but there was no story that he had been killed by an assassin.

Fearing that the reputation of the Blood Killing Faction would fall if it became known that he had been killed by an assassin, they had sealed their lips as much as possible.

As a result, the Blood Killing Faction was in a state of chaos.

The rumor about the Blood Killing Faction spread widely in the Jiangnan martial world and was also known at the Gangnam Grand Inn.

But to Jin Sa-wol, it was just a rumor and not an object of interest.

Flutter!

A fallen leaf came in through the window.

Jin Sa-wol held the completely dried and shriveled leaf in his hand. It wasn't winter yet, nor was the weather cold.

It was a leaf that had fallen due to illness.

'It could be me.'

Jin Sa-wol threw the leaf outside and then looked at Jo-rim, who was coming in.

Jo-rim sighed and sat down in a chair.

"The Do Faction Leader seemed to know nothing. The Hao Faction Master also just told me to watch you and Brother Jin well as usual and then left."

"Then all that's left is for me to die."

At Jin Sa-wol's words, Jo-rim and Bi-sun nodded.

Of course, it was a fake death, but that was how Jo-rim would be comfortable. It was not good for her or the inn to be seen disobeying the order of the Flower Pavilion.

"When we get the corpse, we'll prepare. It will take a few days. The corpse will go to the Hao Faction Master, Mun-hyeok, and Mun-hyeok will send not the corpse, but the head to the Demonic Cult."

"Are you going to kill him?"

Bi-sun spoke and Jo-rim asked. Jin Sa-wol thought for a moment and then answered.

"I should."

There was no need to show mercy to those who were trying to kill him.

Jo-rim asked with a worried face.

"If you kill him right away, they'll suspect us."

"I'll move when the time is right. I have to be a dead person for a while anyway."

At Jin Sa-wol's answer, Jo-rim smiled as if relieved. If he had ordered Jin Sa-wol's death and then killed Mun-hyeok, the Demonic Cult would naturally suspect Jin Sa-wol and Jo-rim and kill them.

Avoiding their gaze was the priority.

With the sound of footsteps, Son Ae-hwa appeared outside the door.

"It's me, Ae-hwa."

"What is it?"

"The sect leader of the Diancang Sect is looking for the innkeeper."

He recalled that Dan Ji-hyu had said he would stop by on his way to the Martial Alliance.

"Where is he?"

"In the guesthouse."

Hearing Son Ae-hwa's answer, Jin Sa-wol and Bi-sun hurriedly went outside. As they went out, Jo-rim's voice caught Son Ae-hwa's feet.

"Ae-hwa."

"Yes?"

As Son Ae-hwa looked, Jo-rim beckoned her to come. Son Ae-hwa carefully approached Jo-rim.

'Why is she calling me? It's burdensome... Look at that gaze, as if she's not a black widow.'

Son Ae-hwa grumbled in her heart and bowed her head like a flying insect caught in a spider's web.

"Is there something you need?"

"I was going to ask before, but I couldn't because I was in a hurry."

"What is it?"

"I heard you went to Fujian alone with Brother Jin. Where did you go?"

Son Ae-hwa recalled the Blood Killing Faction and answered.

"We stopped by the Blood Killing Faction for a moment."

At the words 'Blood Killing Faction', Jo-rim thought of the news about the recently deceased Blood Killing Faction Leader.

To Son Ae-hwa, Jo-rim was a more burdensome opponent than anyone else. She was her superior, and even now, when she stood in front of her, her shoulders naturally hunched.

Son Ae-hwa instinctively looked around for the blood-sucking threads. The person who handled the blood-sucking threads best in the Flower Pavilion was Jo-rim.

"They say the Blood Killing Faction Leader is dead..."

Jo-rim muttered as if she were sure it was Jin Sa-wol's doing and then said.

"Since you're Brother Jin's maid now, I won't ask anything. And you don't need to be so conscious of me."

"I'm not conscious of you."

"It's written on your face that you're uncomfortable."

At Jo-rim's words, Son Ae-hwa blushed and turned her head. Jo-rim laughed lightly and then waved her hand. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Go on."

"Yes."

Hurry!

As Son Ae-hwa moved away with quick steps, Jo-rim rested her chin on her hand.

"Is Bi there?"

"Yes."

Il-bi appeared beyond the window. Jo-rim conveyed her words through telepathy.

-Investigate all of Son Ae-hwa's movements.

Il-bi disappeared quietly into the bushes without answering.

Jo-rim drank her tea.

'We don't trust anyone. Not me, not you, and not any of us.'

* * *

Son Ae-hwa, who was walking to the guesthouse, stopped for a moment and let out a deep sigh.

'I've left an uncomfortable place and entered a more uncomfortable one. Life is so uncomfortable, so uncomfortable.'

Shaking her head, Son Ae-hwa started walking again and put a gentle smile on her lips for a good impression.

* * *

The inn became noisy for a while at the news that the sect leader of the Diancang Sect had come.

Since a great figure of a prestigious orthodox sect had appeared, it was natural for people to come out to see.

People gathered at the guesthouse to see the sect leader of the Diancang Sect. But they couldn't get close because of the inn's warriors and the disciples of the Diancang Sect.

The Diancang Sect Leader was such a famous person that even the inn had to pay attention.

In the tea room of the guesthouse, Dan Ji-hyu, wearing a blue long robe, was sitting with his eyes closed. A sword was placed on his lap, and a cool wind swirled around him.

As the sound of footsteps was heard, Dan Ji-hyu, who had opened his eyes, saw Jin Sa-wol, who had entered, and nodded.

"I greet the sect leader."

"It's fine not to be formal. Sit."

"Yes."

Jin Sa-wol answered and then sat down in a chair and asked.

"How is your body?"

"It's fine. It's much better."

"That's a relief."

Jin Sa-wol answered and then observed Dan Ji-hyu. The bloodshot in his eyes was still a little there, and his complexion was also slightly yellowish.

'He has internal injuries.'

Although he had been treated consistently since he was seriously injured in the Esoteric Sect, it seemed there were aftereffects.

It seemed he would get better if he recuperated for a few more days.

Dan Ji-hyu spoke as if he were greatly indebted to Jin Sa-wol.

"Thanks to you, I was able to escape the Esoteric Sect safely. Thanks to that, I also went to the Martial Alliance."

"You praise me too much."

At Jin Sa-wol's answer, Dan Ji-hyu shook his head.

"No. I was honestly surprised that a person of your caliber was not known in the martial world."

"I'm not at a level to be on people's lips."

"You're also humble."

At Dan Ji-hyu's words, Jin Sa-wol smiled gently. It was a smile he had practiced while looking in the mirror.

Since he was the owner of the inn, it was necessary to practice a good-natured smile.

Bi-sun came in and whispered in Jin Sa-wol's ear.

"A person named Zhuge Qing from the Martial Alliance has come."

Jin Sa-wol had heard of Zhuge Qing, who was called the second-in-command of the Martial Alliance.

'Three-Brained Divine Child...'

He was a person known to have three heads and was Namgung Min's strategist. Just from his nickname, he was a difficult opponent to deal with.

As Jin Sa-wol's expression hardened, Dan Ji-hyu said.

"I told him to meet at the inn, instead of at the alliance. I did so in the hope that it would be of some small help to the inn."

"Ah... yes."

Jin Sa-wol changed his expression and showed a calm smile.

'What help...'

Even if the warriors of the Martial Alliance didn't come, there was no problem with making a living. Meeting the great figures of the martial world was a very burdensome task.

And such a sudden meeting without any prior notice was a difficult situation.

'Since they are opponents I have to meet anyway, I can't avoid it... Did I save him for nothing?'

It was a moment when his feelings for Dan Ji-hyu were slightly twisted.

"Brother Zhuge and I have known each other well for a long time."

"Ah... yes."

'Of course you would.'

Jin Sa-wol still showed his practiced smile and drank his tea.

Why did he come?

He suddenly became curious.

A person of Zhuge Qing's caliber did not move easily.

After about half an hour, a middle-aged man who looked to be of a similar age to Dan Ji-hyu, wearing a red martial arts uniform and a red cape, appeared.

He was Zhuge Qing, who was in charge of the Central Heaven Courtyard of the Martial Alliance.

Seeing the handsome and dignified Zhuge Qing, Jin Sa-wol stood up from his seat and bowed his waist.

"I am Jin Sa-wol of the Gangnam Grand Inn."

"I am Zhuge Qing. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Zhuge Qing cupped his fists and bowed his head.

As Zhuge Qing sat down, Jin Sa-wol sat down again.

'He's cold.'

Jin Sa-wol felt that Zhuge Qing's impression was cold. Usually, people who saw Zhuge Qing for the first time felt a sense of favorability at his gentle impression, but Jin Sa-wol was the opposite.

"Has it been a year?"

"Has it already been that long? Hahaha! It feels like I saw you just the other day, but a year has already passed."

"Time flies."

Dan Ji-hyu and Zhuge Qing, perhaps because they had met after a long time, laughed heartily and chatted.

Jin Sa-wol stood up from his seat.

"Since you two have met after a long time, you must have a lot to talk about. I will take my leave now."

"I came to see you, so how can you get up?"

Zhuge Qing caught Jin Sa-wol's feet. Zhuge Qing threw a smile at Dan Ji-hyu.

"I'll have a talk with the innkeeper."

"Do so."

Dan Ji-hyu stood up from his seat and went outside. As he went out, Jin Sa-wol sat down again. Getting up and sitting down was also annoying.

As Dan Ji-hyu completely disappeared from the guesthouse, Zhuge Qing got to the point with Jin Sa-wol.

"I've heard a lot about you from the Alliance Leader. That you're from the Demonic Cult."

The moment the words 'Demonic Cult' came out, the atmosphere of the guesthouse cooled down.

"Yes."

"The Alliance Leader doesn't care about your origin, but are the people of the martial world like that?"

"What about you, Your Excellency?"

"I have the thought that you are the Alliance Leader's weakness."

Zhuge Qing answered his thoughts honestly. On the contrary, that honesty was not good for Jin Sa-wol.

"Rest assured. I didn't come to be hostile to you just because you're from the Demonic Cult."

At Zhuge Qing's smile, Jin Sa-wol quietly asked.

"If the value of the inn is higher than my origin, I can rest assured. But if it's not, what happens?"

"Are you asking one step ahead? Your value cannot be compared to an inn like this. You have extraordinary martial arts, so would I see you lightly? The Alliance Leader trusts you."

"I'm glad you see me in a good light."

"You have something to protect. This inn. I have the Martial Alliance."

"What is it that you want?"

"How about coming under me?"

The main point was to become his subordinate.

Jin Sa-wol smiled.

"I am already under the management of the Martial Alliance."

"You know what I mean, don't you?"

Feeling Zhuge Qing's gaze, Jin Sa-wol shook his head.

"This is good for the Martial Alliance and our inn."

"It's a shame. You have a lot to protect. This inn and its family... and even your friends."

"Does yesterday's friend become today's enemy?"

"That's the martial world. Are you confident you can protect them?"

At Zhuge Qing's smile, Jin Sa-wol sighed.

Although it might sound like an absurd threat, if it came from Zhuge Qing's mouth, it could not be taken lightly.

Jin Sa-wol tapped the table once with his finger.

'I can't become an enemy of the Martial Alliance.'

To Jin Sa-wol, who looked as if he were placing a stone in a game of Go, Zhuge Qing said.

"I don't trust you."

"How can I gain Your Excellency's trust?"

Did he think he had taken the bait? Zhuge Qing smiled and stroked his beard.

"It's simple. You just have to prove that you are an enemy of the Demonic Cult."

At Zhuge Qing's words, Jin Sa-wol knew that he had already prepared everything.

"With what do I prove it?"

"Important figures of the alliance are trapped in the Demonic Cult's prison. Rescue them."

"Hahaha!"

Jin Sa-wol laughed lightly without realizing it. He tried to hold it in, but he couldn't because it was so absurd.

"You have a wicked mind."

At Jin Sa-wol's words, this time Zhuge Qing laughed.

"Hahahaha! Is there a better plan than blowing your nose without using your hands?"

"There isn't."

Jin Sa-wol answered and then nodded.

"I'll do it."

"I knew you would."

Zhuge Qing raised his teacup and slowly drank his tea.

(End of Chapter)