"Your future husband?"
The old monk's back trembled at my response.
He must have had some idea about my identity ever since I launched the Blood Demon Sword first.
But now that I had publicly declared myself as Sima Yeong's fiancé, it was only natural for him to be shocked.
"I suggest you don't move, monk."
I pressured him with a heavy, overwhelming presence.
Since I had wrapped him in my aura, he wouldn't dare to move recklessly.
"Young Master…"
Sima Yeong looked at me with teary eyes, her voice trembling.
I could feel just how much she had suffered.
As someone who could be called her fiancé, I had been gone for over seven months. Her only remaining family, her father Sima Chak, the Wolak Sword, had been imprisoned in Shaolin Temple. Of course she had struggled.
But it lasted only a moment.
Sima Yeong wiped her tears with her sleeve and sent me a sound transmission.
[Where have you been all this time?]
Hearing her voice laced with longing and resentment, I bit my lip tightly.
The loneliness and sorrow she must have endured… how could mere words compensate for that?
[I'm sorry.]
I had no choice but to apologize.
Though I had tried to return as fast as possible, I couldn't explain everything immediately. All I could do was offer heartfelt comfort.
Hearing my reply, Sima Yeong's lips trembled as if she would cry again.
[Was it because of the mist?]
[…Yes.]
[You disappeared with the mist. I had a feeling that might be the case.]
[You must have suffered a lot waiting for me.]
Her eyes turned red again, but she smiled faintly.
[So you do understand. I gave everything—my heart and soul. If you had run away and abandoned me, I would have turned into a ghost… no, wait, not a virgin ghost. Whatever! I would've haunted you as a widow ghost!]
Her playful tone made me chuckle.
As always, she was stronger and more thoughtful than any woman I'd known.
— How could a ghost travel back in time anyway?
Sodam Sword chuckled.
If she found out that I had traveled into the past through the mist forest, she would surely be astonished.
How many people in the world have gone through such a bizarre experience?
— What do you mean "many"? You're the only one.
Exactly.
Then Sima Yeong, as if she just remembered something, sent me another sound transmission.
[But why did you come here as a Blood Demon?]
As she pointed out, I had entered Shaolin wearing a demon mask and fully transformed into a blood demon.
Honestly, I'd agonized over this for quite a while.
I even considered sneaking in disguised as a monk.
But there was one weakness even my body-transforming technique, Chehwa Manbyunsul, couldn't overcome.
— You can't exactly go bald just for a disguise.
Yes, that was the problem.
Hair and body hair couldn't be altered with transformation techniques.
Even my eccentric master—who always walks with one shoe—jokingly said that as long as I didn't try to disguise myself as a monk, no one would be able to see through it.
I sent her another sound transmission.
[If I came here as a righteous sect member, I wouldn't have had a valid reason.]
[A reason?]
[There's no way the righteous hero "So Geomseon" could come here to rescue his criminal father-in-law.]
Sima Chak, the Wolak Sword, was undeniably one of the Five Great Villains.
There was no way I could rescue such a man while posing as a righteous figure.
To this, Sima Yeong responded with concern.
[Will you be alright? Wouldn't this make the Shaolin Temple your enemy…?]
[That's exactly what I intend.]
[Huh?]
Yes, even my appearance here was part of a plan.
If I rescued my fiancée and father-in-law in secret, Shaolin might pursue me.
Even if they claimed to be detached from worldly affairs, they wouldn't easily accept the disgrace of losing a prisoner they had locked up.
That would make the outside world see Shaolin as weak.
So I chose to appear openly as a blood demon.
By revealing that Sima Chak was my father-in-law, I made it clear that the mighty Blood Sect was involved.
[This way, Shaolin will be more cautious.]
[Cautious…]
[No matter how strong Father-in-law is, if he's alone, Shaolin will definitely try to capture him again.]
[Ah! So that's why you came openly like this. Then, did you bring others from the Blood Sect?]
At that, I shook my head.
She looked surprised.
[…Don't tell me you came alone?]
Her reaction was understandable.
Shaolin is the birthplace and root of the martial world in the Central Plains, with an immense legacy of martial arts.
If they had actively involved themselves in worldly affairs, they might've changed the entire power structure of the martial world.
There's even a saying: If Abbot Jingak had abandoned his deep training and entered the mortal world, he might've become one of the "Nine High Masters," rather than just one of the "Eight Great Masters."
Not to mention the Eighteen Arhats—originators of the legendary Diamond Body Technique—and the 108 Arhat Formation, and their mysterious arts like the 108 Tendon-Altering Techniques. Nothing could be taken lightly.
Shaolin's power was on a different level from other sects.
[Ah! You're planning to fly away with Father, aren't you?]
Sima Yeong clapped her hands, sending another sound transmission as if she'd figured it out.
Sure, that could work—but if that was my plan, I wouldn't have revealed my identity in the first place.
I shook my head, and she frowned.
[Then don't tell me… you're going to break out head-on?]
That's exactly what I was planning.
As I didn't deny it, she looked at me with worry.
Then, she sent another sound transmission.
[I'm sure you have a plan. Then let's hurry and rescue Father first. If he joins us, even Shaolin won't dare to face off against two of the Five Great Villains lightly.]
So clever.
Even in this situation, she had already thought of a strategy.
Just then, the old monk finally opened his mouth.
"Amitabha. Since this temple was built, this is the first time the head of the Sima Heretics has walked into the heart of our grounds."
"I didn't come to harm the monks."
"But even your presence here is a threat."
Despite the overwhelming pressure of my aura, he remained calm and dignified. Clearly not an ordinary monk.
He must've reached the peak of his training.
"He must be the monk guarding the Golden Cell where Father is held."
I turned my head and saw the words "Golden Cell" written above the cave.
So he was the "Golden Cell Lord," the one in charge of that area.
I'd heard that in Shaolin, areas like these were guarded by monks of very high rank—and now it made sense why he felt like a true master.
The Golden Cell Lord spoke in a solemn tone.
"Benefactor. If you are truly Sima Yeong's fiancé and the son-in-law of Sima Chak, I can understand your actions—but I urge you to stop here."
"Perhaps for monks, renouncing the world is easy. But for ordinary people like us, leaving behind family is not so simple."
At my words, the Golden Cell Lord sighed.
Then he spoke with a warning.
"Benefactor. The reason we imprisoned your father-in-law here is to guide him to enlightenment, not to cast him into the deepest hell. Do you wish for him to fall into Avīci hell for his past sins?"
"I don't wish to argue theology with you."
If that were the case, how many martial artists could even hope to be near Buddha?
This kind of argument was meaningless in the current situation.
"That's the key, isn't it?"
I had noticed the key ring hanging from the monk's waist.
Several large keys dangled from the iron ring—clearly, there were multiple golden cells within.
"That's right! With that, we can open the cel—"
Before she could even finish speaking—
"Hah!"
– BOOM!
The Golden Cell Lord launched himself forward with Jin-gak (Shaolin's leaping technique).
Sand exploded from the ground.
– PAPAPAPAPAK!
It seemed he had been waiting for the slightest opening in that fleeting moment.
With that, Hwae Geum-dongju spun like a top, attempting to unleash Baekbo Shinkwon (Hundred-Step Divine Fist) on me.
However—
-Tak!
"Huh?"
His fist was caught, and Hwae Geum-dongju's expression hardened.
He must not have imagined that I wouldn't avoid the sand grains charged with inner energy via Jin-gak.
With lightning speed, I struck his pressure points.
-Tatatatak!
With his vital and training pressure points sealed at once, Hwae Geum-dongju stiffened on the spot and collapsed unconscious.
Sama-yeong looked at me, dumbfounded.
"Master?"
Hwae Geum-dongju was a master of extreme martial arts.
Even for someone who had reached superhuman levels, one couldn't suppress him so easily without using a deadly move.
Seeing me subdue him effortlessly, she was clearly shocked.
"You've… become even stronger?"
That's what I wanted to say to her.
In just seven months, she had experienced much and her energy had risen—so much that she could reach the realm of ultimate mastery if she gained insight.
"Let's go."
I took the golden jade key from Hwae Geum-dongju's waist and spoke.
Just as we were heading for the cave, Sama-yeong paused and pointed at it.
"Ah…"
"What's wrong?"
"Master, we might have to wait a little."
"Wait?"
"Inside Hwae Geum-dong, monks come in groups of ten to chant sutras three times a day—morning, noon, and evening. Normally, a chanting session lasts over one hour."
I understood why she said that.
If the chanting suddenly stopped, those inside the Shaolin Temple would grow suspicious, come investigate, and realize intruders had entered.
I smiled gently and said,
"It doesn't matter. Let's go in."
"Huh?"
Didn't I already say we'd walk out through the front door?
I strode confidently into the cave.
Sama-yeong looked anxious but eventually followed me.
Inside, the cave was brightly lit with torches, and the walls were densely carved with what seemed to be Buddhist scripture.
"Past, present, and future Buddhas all rely on Prajnaparamita to attain perfect enlightenment… This is the great mantra, the mantra of great knowledge…"
From deeper inside, solemn chanting echoed.
As the scripture rang out, I could feel its suppressive effect due to my current state influenced by the Blood Demon Transformation.
Perhaps it was due to the Buddha's teachings.
Still, I wasn't filled only with demonic energy.
By drawing upon pure innate energy to shield myself, the chanting actually calmed my mind.
–This damned sound is driving me insane.
The Blood Demon Sword couldn't bear it.
As a cursed blade infused with resentment, this sound was like poison to it.
Just endure a bit more.
The chanting would soon end.
I glanced at Sama-yeong behind me.
She, too, was unaffected by the chanting.
It made sense—her cultivation method was rooted in orthodox teachings.
[My father is at the very end of Hwae Geum-dong.]
She sent me a silent message.
She must be trying to stay quiet deliberately.
[There are prisoners trapped in the walls along the way. I'm worried they'll make noise when they see us.]
From what she said, she'd been here before.
Clearly, Shaolin had a more compassionate nature than other orthodox sects.
They could have stopped her as his daughter, but didn't.
"Don't worry."
Though she looked confused by my reassurance, I kept walking forward.
Then her eyes widened in surprise.
All the prisoners sealed in the wall cells appeared to be asleep, collapsed as if unconscious.
"Huh? Why are they all like this?"
"Who knows? Maybe they got really sleepy."
Though I said it jokingly, I had secretly infused my footsteps with the essence of the Illusory Sound Heart Art.
The prisoners, their internal energy sealed, couldn't endure the sound waves.
Now that they were unconscious, there was no risk of them making noise.
I continued deeper into the cave.
The chanting grew louder until we finally reached a large chamber at the end.
-Tak! Tak! Tak!
"Without hindrance in mind, there is no fear… far beyond deluded thoughts… ultimate Nirvana…"
Ten monks were chanting while tapping wooden blocks.
At their center was a black iron cell glowing faintly—inside sat a middle-aged man in meditation.
It was Wolak Sword, Sama-chak.
Father-in-law…
His face was pale and tinged gray—either due to his sealed meridians or unhealed internal injuries.
Sama-yeong's eyes reddened at the sight of him.
The bond between father and daughter was truly sacred.
"Eh?"
At that moment, a young monk facing the entrance noticed us and gasped.
The others quickly stood up.
The oldest among them shouted,
"Lady Sama? How did you get in here? And that man is…"
His eyes naturally shifted to my masked face.
When he saw the flickering red hair under the torchlight, his expression turned to shock.
"Blood Demon?"
He recognized me instantly.
Inside the iron cell, my father-in-law opened his eyes.
I gave a respectful martial greeting.
"The son-in-law greets his father-in-law."
"!!!"
All the monks stared at me and Sama-chak in astonishment.
Who wouldn't be shocked to hear that Wolak Sword Sama-chak was the Blood Demon's father-in-law?
The elder monk shouted at me.
"Son-in-law? So you've invaded this temple to rescue Sama-shiju?"
I responded casually,
"Anyone hearing you might think my father-in-law is temple property."
"Leave at once—"
Before he could finish,
"Huh?"
With a tug of my hand, the monk's body flew into the air and landed before me.
His martial skills weren't high enough to resist my force manipulation.
–Grab!
I seized his collar midair and said,
"I have no desire to commit murder in a sacred place, so get out—now."
With that, I flung him aside.
He tumbled and clutched his bruised face in panic.
"I told you to leave, didn't I?"
Sama-yeong blocked the entrance and said,
"If we let them go, the Shaolin monks will come swarming in."
"It's fine. Let them go."
"Huh?"
She looked completely confused.
I turned to the monks and said,
"Tell the Abbot of Shaolin that the Blood Demon, leader of the Blood Sect, wishes to meet him."
'!?'
The monks were utterly dumbfounded.
"You want to see the Abbot?"
"Don't make me say it twice."
Frightened by my commanding tone, the monks ran out.
Watching them leave, Sama-yeong turned to me.
"The Abbot? But you said you came alone…"
To her, I replied calmly,
"Just trust me and watch."
She gazed at me for a moment, then nodded.
She ran to her father with the bundle of golden jade keys I had given her.
"Father!"
Sama-chak spoke as he looked at her.
"You've gone and done it. I told you not to come."
"How could I ignore it when you're locked up here?"
Hearing that, Sama-chak shook his head.
While she searched for the right key, he looked at me and said,
"I heard you disappeared, yet somehow returned to her side."
He must have heard of me from her.
I replied apologetically,
"I am sorry."
He gruffly responded,
"Enough."
It sounded like he was saying that it was enough that I came back safely.
–Clack!
The iron cell opened, and Sama-yeong ran in, crying as she embraced her father.
"Father… sob…"
"How can a grown woman cry so easily? Don't cry."
Despite his words, Sama-chak gently patted her back.
Even a man with a fearsome reputation is still a father.
While comforting her, he looked at me again.
"That's enough. Leave now."
Startled, Sama-yeong pulled away and shouted,
"What are you saying, Father?"
"Do you think the monks of Shaolin are fools?"
"Huh?"
"To expel the cold energy lodged in my organs and bone marrow, I need treatment from the head of the Sutra Hall who has mastered the Goyang True Scripture."
"Didn't you receive full treatment?"
In response to Sama-yeong's question, my father-in-law shook his head and replied.
"The monks of Shaolin judged that if my internal injuries were completely healed, I might be too dangerous even if they blocked my energy points, so they deliberately didn't expel the cold energy that reached my bone marrow."
Even the Shaolin Temple had used their wits.
My father-in-law was a peerless master who had transcended the limits of martial arts.
They must have believed that someone of his caliber could escape if given even the slightest chance, so they intentionally left his internal injuries partially untreated.
"The monks were clever."
"If the cold energy isn't fully driven out, it's bound to cause an attack—sooner or later."
"Father!"
"If I am ever able to expel this cold energy, I will find a way to return. Until then, I must remain here...."
"Yeong-ah, step aside for a moment."
I passed Sama-yeong and entered the Golden Jade Room.
My father-in-law frowned and spoke.
"I don't know what foolishness you're planning, but if the abbot of Shaolin or their Arhat warrior monks come, even if you can use sword-flight techniques, escaping won't be easy. So..."
"Is it only the cold energy that needs to be expelled?"
With those words, I stepped behind my father-in-law.
He let out a sigh and said,
"It's useless. Unless you have the Guryang True Sutra, you can't expel this cold. If pure internal energy alone were enough to drive out the cold that's reached the bone marrow, I would have already...!?"
Just then, my father-in-law turned his head, eyes narrowing.
It was only natural for him to react like that.
Because I was channeling yang-strong energy through my palm, which I had placed on his back.
—Goooooong!
With a startled voice, he murmured,
"How can you possess such pure yang inner energy?"
"I learned it by fate. Anyway, if I can just drive out the cold energy that has reached your bone marrow, will that be enough?"
"What?"
For the first time, my father-in-law was at a loss for words in response to my calm question.