Three months later. “How strange,” the young man murmured, his voice lazy as he gazed out the window, a faint smile on his lips. “Not three days, not even a month. Three months have passed, and he’s fine?” “…” “His condition has even improved?” “That is correct.” The young man tilted his head. “Is that even possible?” “…” “Didn’t they say that the more potent the traces of demonic arts, the more fatal the aftereffects?” “That is what was said.” “Even with his internal energy gone and his dantian destroyed, he is still of the Demonic Cult. The residue of that energy should have remained in his body. Isn’t it only natural that he would have been left a wreck?” “…” “An interesting man, in any case. To be brought so low and still exceed all expectations.” “…Young Master.” “Hm?” “I have a question, if I may.” “Haha, ask as many as you like.” “Why are you so concerned about the Sam-wang?” It was a dangerous question. Certainly not one that could be asked lightly by a subordinate. The young man chuckled. “Did you already forget what I just said?” “Pardon?” “When that bastard was struck down by the poison, the head of the Hyeol-hon Gyo stated it himself. The probability of recovery was near zero. He said that even if he were lucky enough to awaken, he would be paralyzed or driven mad. But look at him now.” “…” “It’s always been like this with him. He always finds a way to surpass my expectations. To be frank, who’s to say that in a year, he won’t have recovered everything he lost?” “That would be impossible.” “I know. I know that too. It’s not something that can be achieved by mortal means. I know all of this, and yet… it still makes me anxious.” “…” “And it isn’t just me. Most of the people who fought against him probably feel the same. He’s always been blessed with far too much luck.” The young man was still smiling, but his eyes were slowly turning cold. “When will Kwon Tae-ho arrive?” “He entered Hanam-do this morning. He should arrive at the main headquarters around noon tomorrow.” “Returning to the sect after half a year?” “Yes, that’s right.” “Tell him to stop by my room when he gets here.” The young man’s smile deepened. “I need to see for myself if that once-famous treasured sword has grown rusted or been broken.” FWOOSH! No So-yeon, the maid, squeezed her eyes shut against the sudden rush of air. Kang Min-hyuk frowned. “Is this still all I can manage?” He was unsatisfied with the force of his fist cutting through the air. It was proof that his muscles and joints were still not as limber as he wanted. “Well, at least it’s a start.” For the past three months, he had worked relentlessly to bring this wretched body back to some semblance of normalcy. Truly, if it hadn’t been for Muae-gong, he would have been done for. Thanks to the technique, not only had the impurities stagnating in his body been purged, but so had every last trace of the residual demonic energy. He felt as if a decade’s worth of grime had been scoured away. ‘Jeongantang, was it? That stuff worked wonders.’ They said it was a medicinal brew reserved for the highest echelons of the cult, and it was certainly a cut above the rest. The way it cleared out the impurities and a great deal of the demonic energy left him feeling refreshed and invigorated. After a couple of months, he could truly feel the medicinal power he hadn’t noticed at first. The concentrated essence revived his muscles and revitalized his internal organs. Most encouraging of all, his internal injuries were almost completely healed. He could finally say he possessed the body of a man his age. ‘Right. It’s all good. Everything is fine…’ Kang Min-hyuk grabbed his hair. ‘Aaaargh! I want to get out of here right now!’ He hadn’t spent the last three months just mending his body. He had worked tirelessly, sleeping less at night, all to escape this hell. After learning about Hyeol Seo-ryang’s personality, he had boldly begun walking around the front yard. Thanks to that, he now had a clear understanding of the surrounding terrain. And his conclusion? ‘I can never leave in this condition.’ No fewer than thirty guards from the Demonic Cult were stationed outside his residence, as if on direct orders from above. These men were not mere bodyguards. They thoroughly screened everyone who came and went, and it was clear they were also assigned to watch the Three Seo-gongja himself. Two months ago, the guard who had stopped Kang Min-hyuk as he was about to make a break for it had said this: —An order has been issued forbidding the Seo-gongja from going out until he has fully recovered. I’m sorry, but you cannot leave. Since then, he had attempted to leave more than ten times, failing on each occasion. The guards’ stubbornness was like a barren, rocky mountain where not a single blade of grass could grow. They were the most impassive men in the world, on whom clumsy bribes and threats had no effect. After racking his brain, Kang Min-hyuk had come to a single conclusion. ‘First, I’ll fix this body.’ So, he couldn’t leave until his body fully recovered? Fine. Then he would make a full recovery. He couldn’t live with this broken body anyway. He might as well use this opportunity to completely repair it. Once he had a clear goal, his recovery accelerated. It was a firm lesson that one’s mindset could change one’s life. …If those damned bastards tried to stop him again, he would just have to break their legs with a club. ‘In any case, my body is almost healed. I can just say I want to get some fresh air and walk out.’ His fists clenched. ‘The moment I’m out, I’ll head for the closest safe house to the south.’ Across the Joong-gye, there were dozens of safe houses belonging to the world’s greatest assassin. Half were established by the Cheong-ui Maeng, but the other half he had built himself in secret. He had established them step-by-step over thirty years, preparing for the day he would flee the Cheong-ui Dongmaeng. He had stocked them with elixirs, rare herbs, and all manner of supplies. Once he reached one, it would only be a matter of time before he regained his former power. ‘I’ll have to liquidate my valuables for living expenses. Then, I’ll get as far away from the Joong-gye as possible.’ Better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon. He would escape the tedious world of martial arts and live like a king. Of course, the Demonic Cult would send pursuers, but that didn’t matter. No one knew of the safe houses’ existence, and once he recovered his former strength, evading their spies would be child’s play. He just had to get to a safe house. His real life would begin then. “Alright. No more time to waste.” Kang Min-hyuk muttered grimly and began to strip off his robes, intending to change into something easier to move in. “Oh my!” No So-yeon, her face flushed red, hurried out of the room. ‘What’s her problem?’ She’s seen him like this for three months now, and she’s still reacting that way? Was the sight of him really that repulsive? Well, it was possible. But the thought of finally leaving this place put him in too good a mood to dwell on such trifles. Kang Min-hyuk hummed a tune as he changed into a simple martial artist’s uniform and stretched his limbs. ‘Now, I’m leaving, and I’m doing it by the book. They can’t possibly have a problem now that I’m this recovered.’ Kang Min-hyuk strode to the door. It was then. He froze. ‘…?’ Kang Min-hyuk’s eyes narrowed. Even though the poisons had been purged and his internal injuries treated, his body was still that of an ordinary man. He had formed a new Danjeon, but he hadn’t accumulated even a wisp of internal energy. Nevertheless, his senses were frighteningly sharp. The instincts of the world’s greatest killer had not vanished. Even without his preternatural senses, he was far more perceptive than most ordinary people. After a moment, a voice reached him. “Is he inside?” “Pardon? Ah, yes! He is, but…” “Step aside.” “But… I must inform the Seo-gongja first…” SLAP! “Agh!” Kang Min-hyuk’s face darkened. Did No So-yeon just get slapped? Creak! The door was thrown open, and a woman appeared. She looked to be in her early twenties. She possessed a beauty that would stop anyone in their tracks, regardless of age or gender. Even her impenetrably cold expression felt less like a flaw and more like a part of her unique charm. Her entire aura was one of authority and languid grace. A voice that perfectly matched her atmosphere flowed out. “It’s been a long time.” Who are you? Kang Min-hyuk stared at the woman blankly. It was hard to greet someone he didn’t even remember, let alone act pleased to see them. The woman’s gaze deepened. “You look better than I expected.” “…I suppose.” “…” “…” “Are you going to just stand there? I’d like a cup of tea.” What was this brazenness? She barges in without permission and then demands to be served. Kang Min-hyuk waved a dismissive hand. “I’m sorry, but come back later. I have somewhere to be right now.” “…?” “Please get out of my way.” He didn’t know who she was, but this was no time for games. His mind was focused solely on escaping the Demonic Cult. The woman’s face hardened. He was telling her to get out of the way? “Where are you going?” “I just have somewhere to go. Don’t block the path. Move.” “Are you on your way to see the Leader?” Kang Min-hyuk let out an involuntary scoff. The Leader? He’d rather fall on his own sword. Why in the world would he go to see the Leader? “No.” “Then that settles it. Let’s talk.” “I told you, I have somewhere to be.” “Unless it’s as important as meeting the Leader, you should speak with me first.” “Look here.” “If you don’t like tea, we can have wine. Ah! But is alcohol too much for you, given the state of your body?” Kang Min-hyuk’s face twisted in annoyance. On this momentous day, when the second chapter of his true life was about to begin, where did this monster come from? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “…?” “Whether it’s tea or wine, drink it at your own home. What are you doing causing a scene in another person’s residence?” “…Pardon me?” “I don’t want to waste any more words. Get out. If you really must have something, I’ll tell the maid, and you can drink it on your way out.” What was this? She was genuinely confused. Was the Sam-gongja standing before her really the same person she knew? ‘Did the poison drive him mad?’ She remembered the Hyeol Seo-ryang of the past. The confident expression, the eyes burning with unconcealable ambition. There were many times he had made her uncomfortable, not only with his groundless self-assurance and arrogant speech, but with the beastly way he would look at her, his lust-filled eyes barely hidden behind a veneer of indifference. Where was that man, who was so faithful to his desires yet tried so hard to mask it all under a pretense of ‘ruthlessness’? ‘What is with that foolish, urgent look in his eyes?’ The woman, who had been staring blankly, snapped her fingers. Snap! Kang Min-hyuk’s expression soured. Beyond the open door, he heard other footsteps. Soon, two large warriors appeared. A single glance told him they were first-rate masters. The woman spoke, her eyes fixed on Kang Min-hyuk. “I am going to have a long talk with the Sam-wang. I don’t know how long it will take, so stop anyone who approaches.” The two warriors bowed their heads. “As you command!” Creak. The door was closed. The woman sat down in a chair at the table as if it were her own room. The way she leisurely crossed her legs and tilted her chin was alluring. She exuded the scent of a mature woman that no man could easily ignore. “We can have that tea later.” “…” “Sit. Don’t we have things to discuss?” It was then that Kang Min-hyuk’s eyes met hers. The corners of the woman’s mouth lifted slightly. It was the relaxed smile of someone who knew they held the upper hand. “You don’t wish to speak with me?” “…” “I’m afraid you have no choice. You broke our contract. After all the resources I invested in you…” “What is your name?” “…?” “I asked for your name.” “…I’ll say this just in case you’re not aware, but I’m not in the mood for games right now.” “Answer the question. What is your name?” The woman’s face turned to ice. “This doesn’t seem like a joke, but I don’t believe you’re insane, either. What is the meaning of this rudeness?” “Despite?” “No matter how far you’ve fallen, you wouldn’t dare say something like that to me…” Without waiting for her to finish, Kang Min-hyuk strode past her and threw the door open again. Bang! The warriors looked at him, startled. “Move.” “…?!” “Unless you want to be beheaded for insubordination against one of the Leader’s own sons, I suggest you get out of the way.” The warriors swallowed hard. The woman’s eyebrows twitched. “Hey, Samgong…” “Move. Now.” “…” “Are you not going to move?” Kang Min-hyuk snorted. “Such loyalty. Fine, I can respect that. And I’ll see to it you receive a reward befitting that loyalty. No So-yeon!” “Yes, Seo-gongja!” No So-yeon, who had been fidgeting nearby, came running. One of her cheeks was swollen and red. Kang Min-hyuk’s voice became cold as steel. “Tell everyone outside that there are cult members here who are unlawfully detaining the Three Seo-gongja. And threatening him.” “Y-yes!” “Furthermore, let them know that an unknown intruder has forced her way in and assaulted the maid of the Sam-gongja. Do you understand?” “I obey your command!” Kang Min-hyuk smiled, a cruel edge to it. “I’d say your lives are a fair price to pay for your loyalty. What do you think?”

Chapter 4: Surpassing All Expectations