PAID

By the time Seo-jun reached the northernmost region of Shaanxi, he detected an exceedingly faint trace.

A remnant so subtle that only someone with an acute sensitivity to qi could perceive it.

In other words, the vast majority of Zhongyuan’s martial artists would never notice it.

But Namgung Jincheon would have had no trouble at all recognizing it.

A peculiar sense of unease crept over Seo-jun as he activated Hunwonbo and swiftly pursued the trail.@@novelbin@@

Then—

A colossal surge of energy erupted in the distance. The sheer force of it sent a chill down even Seo-jun’s spine.

"A clash between transcendent warriors."

Urgency surged through him. Seo-jun increased his speed, pushing Hunwonbo to its limits.

BOOOOOOM!!

He arrived at the desert.

There, all that remained were corpses, Namgung Jincheon on the verge of death, and Namgung Yeon, unconscious.

Seo-jun's eyes darted around, searching for answers.

"My son-in-law…"

"No… this… how could this happen…!"

"It’s a shame… that I won’t be able to see the engagement ceremony…"

It was impossible to believe.

That Namgung Jincheon? Who? Who in Zhongyuan could have done this?

Who in this world could have reduced the greatest warrior under the heavens to such a state?

"Who…?"

Seo-jun instinctively gathered natural qi, desperately trying to accelerate Namgung Jincheon’s recovery.

But the wounds weren’t just physical.

His internal damage was devastating, and more than that—his very existence had been struck.

Healing him was nearly impossible.

"No… There’s no such thing as impossible."

Still, he couldn't just stand by. He had to keep him breathing, no matter what.

But Namgung Jincheon refused even that.

"Don’t… do that… It’s time for me to move forward now…"

"Moving forward starts with staying alive!"

"No… My path does not lie here…"

His expression was peaceful.

Almost… happy.

Seo-jun couldn’t understand.

Why was he welcoming death so readily?

It was all too sudden. One unexpected farewell was already too much.

A memory flashed through Seo-jun’s mind—the sight of his father, pierced through by a blade, dying before his eyes.

"My son-in-law…"

"…Yes."

"Be careful… it’s not over yet…"