Chapter 2

* * *

It had been eight years since Namgung started searching for his child.

I began to be raised by the Blood Demon from the age of five, so I am now thirteen.

For some reason unknown to me, it seems I have returned to my past at the age of thirteen.

'Return after death.'

Was it due to the influence of some great magic achieved by someone? Or perhaps a spell?

The Blood Sect's potential for great magic is infinite, so it might not be entirely impossible.

The Blood Demon has been researching tirelessly to achieve immortality, so one of those efforts might have succeeded.

I don't know why I have returned, but...

'No matter the reason, the important thing is that I have returned to the past.'

When Il-hwa returned to her room, she packed her belongings.

In truth, there wasn't much to pack. All she had was a sword and a small bag containing a few coins.

With her belongings in hand, Il-hwa paused to think.

The Blood Demon was operating a teahouse called Huo Wulou (Fire Crow Tower) in Yunnan during this period.

On the surface, it was a guesthouse and teahouse, but in reality, it was a stronghold of the Blood Sect, quietly amassing power to conquer the Central Plains.

'I can't return to Huo Wulou.'

Now that I know I am Namgung's person, I can't repeat the foolish act of destroying my own clan.

So, the only place left is Namgung.

Il-hwa looked down at her small hands.

It still didn't feel real.

That I am Namgung's person.

In my previous life, I spent my entire life trying to bring down Namgung.

'I... was Namgung's person.'

She clenched her hand tightly.

'Five years from now.'

The time when the Blood Sect, hidden in the shadows, would emerge under the name of the Great Blood Sect and cause the Blood Sect's turmoil.

There are only five years left until that time.

'I don't want to be a pawn in the Blood Demon's hands anymore.'

Since I have returned to the past, I can't repeat the same life as before. So...

'I will return.'

I will return and build my strength.

I will strengthen Namgung to prevent it from being destroyed as it was in my previous life, and I will also stop the Blood Demon's grand plan to conquer the Central Plains.

With the memories of my previous life, it's not impossible.

Five years is short, but it's enough time to prepare.

So...

"I will return."

To Namgung.

To my hometown that I destroyed with my own hands.

* * *

Now that I've decided to return, I want to go to Namgung immediately, but there is one problem.

Il-hwa manipulated the inner energy flowing within her body.

A dark, murky inner energy swirled from her dantian.

Just before my death, I was at the Hua Jing level.

'Now... I'm just at the peak level.'

Actually, it's fortunate that I'm just at the peak level.

The Blood Sect's martial arts are based on blood.

Most of them are not built up gradually from the basics but rather by stealing and absorbing the blood or inner energy of others.

Therefore, while they achieve rapid and explosive growth, their inner energy is murky and has severe side effects.

The problem is that if I return to Namgung with this murky inner energy, I might be killed before being accepted as a member of Namgung.

'Tianlong Jianhuang Namgung Muten.'

Namgung Muten, my grandfather and the head of the Namgung family.

He is one of the ten great martial artists in the martial world and is known for his intense dislike of the black path.

Especially, he despises those who have learned peculiar inner energy techniques, and it's rumored that he kills them without mercy.

So, before going to Namgung, I need to eliminate this murky blood energy that the Blood Demon has implanted in my body.

* * *

"Already thousands of people have visited Namgung. They even take in children with spots on their necks."

"Even someone brought their own child, didn't they? They must be blinded by money, trying to sell their own child."

"No, Namgung isn't stupid... Surely they can tell the difference between their own child and someone else's?"

As Il-hwa left the inn, the streets were buzzing with talk about the lost child of Namgung.

The protagonist, Il-hwa, stood in front of a shop, deep in thought.

"Hey, are you buying or not? If you're not buying, move aside! Other customers have been waiting for a while!"

Il-hwa raised her gaze to look at the shop owner. Just by looking, her eyes gave off a chilling vibe, causing the shop owner to involuntarily shrink back.

"Why, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Is this delicious?"

The shop owner's gaze shifted to his stall.

In front of the stall, various tanghulu (candied fruit skewers) were neatly arranged.

"...Have you never eaten this before? Has your mother never bought it for you?"

"I don't have a mother."

"...!"

The shop owner's face quickly turned pale.

Seeing his rigid expression, Il-hwa tilted her head in confusion.

Crunch. Crunch.

'What a strange person.'

After asking about her mother, he then asked about her father and handed her a tanghulu.

When she tried to pay, he didn't take the money.

He even patted her head while sniffling.

Even though she had returned to a young age and her emotions weren't completely gone, she couldn't understand the shop owner's actions.

'Maybe it's because I've lived for a long time without feeling emotions.'

I can't remember what emotions are, what they feel like, or what sensations they bring.

Because of this, I often find it difficult to understand other people's actions, but I don't feel any regret.

'Emotions only hinder judgment.'

There's no need to try to regain what has become dull.

Il-hwa chewed on the free tanghulu while looking around.

'Is this Luonan?'

Il-hwa opened her eyes in Luonan County, Shaanxi Province.

Located in the south of Huayin County, which is famous for the Huashan Sect.

Il-hwa had only been to Luonan once in her childhood.

'It was when I diverted the item that Huashan and Shaolin were secretly trading.'

The trade between Huashan and Shaolin was conducted in utmost secrecy. The item being traded was also extremely valuable.

It was the Dahan Pill, a miraculous elixir from Shaolin Temple.

The Dahan Pill, known as a legendary elixir, is one of the most precious elixirs in the martial world.

When the Blood Demon heard that this precious elixir was leaving Shaolin Temple, he ordered the Black Cloud Gang to obtain it.

'He threatened to capture and dismember all the members of the Black Cloud Gang if they failed to bring it.'

The Black Cloud Gang, known for its notorious reputation among the black path, reluctantly followed the Blood Demon's orders.

Il-hwa's task was to deliver the item they stole to her master.

"Hmm..."

Il-hwa stroked her chin, deep in thought.

The Dahan Pill would be an excellent material to expel the inner energy I possess. Since I can't obtain such a powerful elixir right now, this is a good opportunity.

There doesn't seem to be any problem, as neither Shaolin nor Huashan is making an issue of this publicly.

'I will divert it.'

Il-hwa raised her head to look at the sun, which was beginning to set.

The time agreed upon to receive the item from the Black Cloud Gang was You Shi (5-7 PM).

"It's about time to go."

Il-hwa threw away the stick of the finished tanghulu and hopped a few times on the spot.

Although the reduced inner energy from returning to her childhood felt a bit strange, her body was definitely lighter.

She was more flexible, showing the results of her usual diligent training.

'Good.'

She hopped a few more times to warm up.

Thud!

Il-hwa's body suddenly shot into the air.

In an instant, she rose to a height where she could see all of Luonan County.

She then landed on the roof of the tallest building in Luonan and began to run at a high speed.

The speed was so fast that an ordinary person couldn't even see her.

In a moment, she reached the outskirts of Luonan and, with one last leap from the last roof, soared into the air again.

As if diving into a vast sunset.

Il-hwa looked down at the dense forest spread out before her.

She then disappeared into the forest.

* * *

Thud. Thud. Thud!

In front of a black door with nothing written on it.

Il-hwa knocked on the door with force.

After a moment, a small gap in the upper part of the door opened, and a cold eye appeared. The eye, which had been scanning the surroundings, suddenly noticed something and looked down.

A child stood in front of the door.

She looked to be just over ten years old.

"Did you knock?"

The man's thick eyebrows twitched at the child's nod.

However, the opponent was just a small kid, so the man decided to be lenient.

"Go away. This is no place for a kid like you."

"I have an appointment with the leader."

"What? Is this kid crazy? Do you think you can meet the leader just because you want to? If you don't leave right now, I'll..."

Bang!

The thick door of the Black Cloud Gang was shattered with a loud noise.

The dust slowly settled.

Il-hwa looked at the gathered subordinates of the Black Cloud Gang beyond the broken door.

The fierce-looking members of the Black Cloud Gang all held weapons like swords and axes.

'Still the same. Here.'

In my previous life, I killed them all.

There's no need to do that this time.

'Unnecessary killing should be reduced. I am now a person of the righteous path.'

Il-hwa calmly entered the Black Cloud Gang.

As she stepped on the broken door, a groan came from below.

The Black Cloud Gang members, surprised by the calm approach of the child, hesitated and stepped back.

None of them thought of attacking her.

'What kind of aura is this coming from a child...?'

'If I attack, I might die.'

The killing aura emanating from her small body was so intense that it made their skin tingle.

It was as if a blood-red aura was densely surrounding the child.

The Black Cloud Gang members slowly retreated as Il-hwa walked forward.

When she had crossed half the courtyard, a man in a black hood stood opposite her.

The man, who seemed to be waiting for her, bowed respectfully.

"Are you the young master of Huo Wulou?"

Il-hwa nodded.

"Please follow me. The leader is waiting for you."