“Oh my, father-in-law!”
Baek Woo Jin run over and unleashed a long burst of sword energy to cut through the iron bars like a bundle of reeds. He stepped inside and began to cut the chains one by one with meticulous hand movements.
When all the chains were finally cut away, Tang Yeon Shin’s body was revealed. His emaciated frame was so thin that his bones seemed visible through his skin.
His pitiful appearance made Baek Woo Jin tense up as he carefully brought a finger under the man’s nose to check. It was faint, but a slight breath tickled his fingertip.
“Phew!”
Thankfully, he was still alive. However, his condition was so dire that it wouldn’t have been surprising if he died at any moment. Without delay, Baek Woo Jin pressed his palm against the vital acupuncture point at his chest and infused his energy into him.
The energy spread to his limbs and core, gradually stabilizing the man’s weak and erratic vital signs.
In Tang Yeon Shin’s dantian, much like Baek Woo Jin’s own, the medicinal effects of the Nobleman’s Pill clung stubbornly. Judging by how firmly the energy had taken root, it was clear that he had been taking the pills for a very long time. The accumulated energy was so deeply embedded that it would be nearly impossible to remove immediately.
“For now, the immediate danger has passed.”
With his unstable body temporarily strengthened by Baek Woo Jin’s energy, there was some breathing room. Once the situation was resolved, it would be possible to slowly remove the effects while he gets proper rest.
Baek Woo Jin lifted the man over his shoulder and carried him out.
The discovery that Tang Yeon Shin, whom he had assumed to be long dead, was actually alive was a monumental revelation. Baek Woo Jin could already imagine how overjoyed Tang Seon Yeong would be to learn that her true father was still alive.
“They say human greed truly knows no bounds, but it’s a bit disappointing.”
What Baek Woo Jin had hoped to find in the secret chamber was a document listing the names of those who had sold their souls to the demonic cult. If he had obtained it, it would have been possible to eradicate them all without much effort. The absence of such a document left him with lingering regret.
But I can’t just remain here forever.
He had spent more time here than anticipated. The sooner he rooted out the rats that had infiltrated the Tang Clan and restored things to normal, the better.
“…You’ve returned.”
A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
It was Ten Shadows, who had used her cultivation technique to recover from the effects of alcohol.
Baek Woo Jin had worried that she might not remember anything and lash out after regaining her senses, but it seemed that worry was unnecessary.
“I apologize for my disgraceful behavior…”
Seeing her bow her bright red face and offer an apology made it clear.
Baek Woo Jin waved a hand dismissively and replied,
“Drinking makes everyone act that way. It’s part of what makes life interesting.”
As long as someone wasn’t the type to repeat themselves endlessly, laugh at their own jokes while smacking the person next to them, or turn into a literal beast after drinking, Baek Woo Jin could easily forgive them.
Ten Shadows’s expression softened considerably, but her gaze soon shifted to the man Baek Woo Jin was carrying on his back.
“And that man is…?”
“The real head of the Tang Clan.3
“Is that so?”
Her face showed genuine surprise. It seemed like she had been unaware that the real Tang Yeon Shin was alive.
“Well, it’s time to get some sunlight.”
“Understood.”
Understanding the meaning of the words, Ten Shadows turned around and walked toward the entrance.
When she pressed the nine buttons installed on the stone wall in a specific order, a loud mechanical sound echoed as the thick iron door began to open.
Before leaving the cave, Baek Woo Jin spoke to Ten Shadows.
“Your younger brother seems to have lost most of his emotions. Can he be persuaded?”
Her expression hardened as she nodded.
“Yes. Seok-yi is a younger brother who listens to his older sister very well.”
“A good brother.”
With those words, Baek Woo Jin retraced his steps back the way he had come. Ten Shadows hid herself in the shadow cast by his feet.
He broke through a thin wall set up as a decoy and advanced out of the Tang Clan’s research lab.
Radiant moonlight poured in through the window frame.
“It’s the perfect time to act.”
It seemed he had chosen a very suitable moment to come out.
“I’ll need to act quickly.”
There was much to be done to restore the Tang Clan to normal. By morning, people would flood into the laboratory, and news of his escape would spread quickly. He had to complete all his preparations before that happened.
The first place Baek Woo Jin headed was the secluded chamber where Tang Seon Yeong was staying. His plan was to inform her of his safety and entrust her with protecting Tang Yeon Shin.
Although the surroundings of the chamber had been utterly quiet before, now it was heavily guarded by Black Snake Unit warriors.
“They’ve tightened security.”
Though he had spared her through their deal, it seemed they intended to completely control Tang Seon Yeong’s movements to make sure she wouldn’t reveal the vast amount of information she held.
The defenses were strong, but they posed little challenge to Baek Woo Jin. Thanks to his advanced mastery of the drinking wine cultivation technique, the Night Curtain technique had become even better. It was now impossible for the small lanterns the warriors carried to even penetrate it.
“You really have such an extraordinary stealth technique….”
Baek Woo Jin observed Ten Shadows marveling from the shadows at the Night Curtain technique he had just displayed.
“I’ll teach you later.”.
“…I’ll look forward to it,”
Ten Shadows replied.
Though her voice was steady and without inflection, a hint of excitement could still be detected.
Baek Woo Jin chose the wall with the weakest defenses and used his movement technique to slip inside effortlessly.
Tatatatatata!
“Hm?”
From behind a building, a series of rather loud noises rang out. It was coming from the direction of the pond that was his destination.
As he slowly approached, he was able to discern the source of the sound.
That’s the sound of throwing weapons.
He recognized it immediately. It was the sound made when weapons struck walls or trees with force.
Quickly, Baek Woo Jin arrived at the pond and spotted the person responsible for the noise.
“Haaat…!”
The one who was throwing weapons was Tang Seon Yeong.
Dozens of projectiles hurled from her hands embedded themselves into multiple wooden dummies set up above the pond.
The force she had poured into them was evident; the blades had driven so deep into the targets that only the handles remained visible.
“Hah… hah…!”
Sweat poured down her body like rain, and blood trickled from her fingers. Her gaze fixed on the wooden dummies was so intense it seemed as if she were confronting an eternal nemesis.
This was her desperate way of coping. Being overwhelmed by the guilt of using Baek Woo Jin as a scapegoat, coupled with her helplessness in the face of his likely suffering, she had thrown herself into relentless training without a moment’s rest.
Baek Woo Jin silently watched her fierce efforts and finally stepped out from the shadows of the Night Curtain.
“If you keep at it like that, your pretty hands will end up ruined.”
Clang!
At the sound of his familiar voice from behind, Tang Seon Yeong dropped the bloodied throwing weapon she had been holding.
Her heart raced faster than it had during hours of relentless training.
Clutching her chest, she turned around.
“Baek… Woo Jin…?”
It wasn’t the hallucinations or phantom voices that had tormented her up until now.
The man, with such a vivid expression on his face, stood right before her eyes.
“I was a bit late, wasn’t I? Getting out wasn’t as easy as I thought.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. She didn’t know what to say or how to act, so she hesitated and did nothing.
Baek Woo Jin hoisted the man he had been carrying over his shoulder onto the wooden floor. Then, with a broad grin, he gestured for Tang Seon Yeong to come closer.
Her gaze, which had been fixed on his face in dreams when asleep and as illusions when awake, remained locked on him as she slowly took a step forward.
When she finally came within arm’s reach, Baek Woo Jin held out a hand and gently grabbed her face to lower her gaze.
“Ah…?”
His hair was disheveled, and grime was smeared all over, but she instantly recognized the man’s face.
“Ah, Father…”
It was indeed Tang Yeon Shin, her father. She was stunned and she turned around to look at Baek Woo Jin for confirmation.
“He’s truly your father, Miss Tang.”
She had been half-convinced that her father might be a fake. After all, how could anyone perfectly mimic not just his face, but his voice, mannerisms, and every small detail?
But now, she couldn’t deny it. Her real father stood before her. He was unmistakably alive.
As she gazed at him, her eyes burned with a fire fueled by righteous anger. Baek Woo Jin looked at her and asked,
“Miss Tang. Are you ready?”
Ready to completely overturn the Tang Clan.
Under the moonlight, his radiant smile shone brilliantly, captivating Tang Seon Yeong once again.
***
Meanwhile, Jegal Yeon Ji hadn’t been able to sleep for several days.
“Young master Baek …”
Since Baek Woo Jin’s brief visit and subsequent departure back to the Tang Clan, all news of him had completely stopped.
For several days, she had been plagued by an unshakeable fear. She felt that something terrible had happened to him. Unable to bear the uncertainty, she went directly to the Tang Clan and revealed her identity as the daughter of the Jegal clan. However, she was turned away at the gate by the man who claimed to be the leader of Baeksadae, saying that circumstances prevented them from receiving visitors.
“Why, why does everything keep getting in my way…?”
Perhaps it was the side effect of several sleepless nights, but she began to feel as though the entire world was conspiring to obstruct her love.
“I want to erase it all, everything, every last one…!”
The obstacles standing in the way of her love for him seemed endless, scattered all around her.
At that moment, as the idea of erasing everything and leaving only Baek Woo Jin by her side began to swell uncontrollably in her mind—
“Destroy them.”
From beyond the open window that she had left slightly open in her frustration, came the voice she had longed to hear. Baek Woo Jin appeared as if out of thin air.
“Yo-Young master Baek …!”
Jegal Yeon Ji ran toward him with all her might, throwing herself at him as he stepped through the window.
“Whoa there.”
He winced as a dull pain shot through his ribs; a wry smile formed on his lips. Gently, he patted her head as she sobbed into his chest.
“Why, why are you so late…!”
Breaking away from his embrace, she glared at him. Her expression was filled with both anger and frustration.
“Well, things got a bit more complicated than I expected.”
“Even so… even so, you could have at least sent me a message!”
“There are some very complicated circumstances over there… ah, forget it.”
Knowing he didn’t have much time to explain everything in detail, he pulled her tightly into his arms.
“Y-You think this will make me forgive you? I won’t… Hahhh….”
She forgave him.
“I’ll explain everything later, but for now, can you just do me a favor? Please?”
She was held so tightly that she could barely breathe. Her voice came out half-dazed as she answered.
“Yes…”
Jegal Yeon Ji who pulled out of his arms wore an utterly vacant expression. Baek Woo Jin grabbed her shoulders and gently shook her, bringing her drifting consciousness back to reality.
“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
“Yes…”
Embarrassed by her earlier outburst, she avoided his gaze and nodded repeatedly with her head lowered.
Baek Woo Jin calmly explained everything he had planned.
“Can you do it?”
“J-Just leave it to me. I think I can manage…!”
She clenched her fists tightly and responded with a tone that carried surprising confidence.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
“L-let’s meet again in a bit.”
After exchanging farewells, Baek Woo Jin turned his gaze to the baby white tiger sleeping soundly on her bed.
“Oh.”
A decent idea popped into his head.
“You cute little thing.”
Cradling the baby white tiger, which now had an unexpectedly crucial role to play, he left the inn just as dawn began to break.
Baek Woo Jin strolled leisurely to a side alley where he could observe the entrance to the Tang Clan. Taking cover, he quietly began sipping his drink.
“Grr…!”
The familiar scent of alcohol roused the baby white tiger from its sleep. Rubbing its eyes with its tiny paws, it spotted Baek Woo Jin and immediately began thrashing around.
“Oh, oh! You’re so happy to see your dad, huh?”
A small paw swung toward him.
Thwack!
It stung more than he expected.
“Grrr! Grr!”
Though he didn’t fully understand what it meant, it was clearly a tone of voice that seemed to be scolding him.
As he endured a barrage of scolding from the creature, which was just slightly larger than his palm, the sun rose completely, bathing the world in light. Around that time, people began gathering near the Tang Clan’s vicinity.
“Oh, it’s time.”
“Growl!”
As if demanding he focus on its words, the little one swung its front paw, but he scooped it up into his arms.
“I’ll listen later, so just stay still for a moment.”
“Grrr…”
Whether it understood or not, the little one ground its teeth furiously but stopped struggling.
Meanwhile, the gathering crowd began surrounding the Tang Clan’s walls.
“Wh-What’s going on here?”
“How dare you cause trouble in front of the Tang Clan…!”
As the flustered guards shouted at the crowd, Baek Woo Jin stepped forward. He was holding the Tang Gold Badge firmly in his hand.
“Y-Young Master?”
“But there’s no record of him leaving, so how…?”
Ignoring their bewilderment, he strode past them. As long as he held the TTang Gold Badge, there was no way they could stop him.
In stark contrast to the way he had slipped out in secrecy, Baek Woo Jin now came back with bold confidence. Taking a deep breath, he filled his lungs to capacity.
“Huooooh…!”
He exhaled with a thunderous roar.
“Tada—! I’m back—!”
Back—!
Back—!
The threefold echo reverberated throughout the Tang Clan, throwing everyone within into chaos.
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