At the crack of dawn, Tang Wu's voice echoed throughout the inn.
"Wake up, people! The sun's up already, are you all still bed-centipedes?!" he shouted, knocking on every door with exaggerated enthusiasm.
From under the covers came a groggy complaint.
"Tang Wu... sleep is a basic human right…" mumbled Jian Mo, half-asleep.
One door creaked open. Su Daji stood in the doorway, eyes half-closed, hair a complete mess.
"What's going on this early in the morning…"
Leon came out the calmest of them all, holding a piece of paper and fanning it like a newspaper.
"Instead of shouting, take a look at this."
Tang Wu leaned in, curious. "What is it?"
Leon showed the paper. "There's a martial arts performance at Tianyin Square. This afternoon."
Tang Wu's eyes sparkled instantly. "Whoa! There must be free food too!"
Su Daji jumped with joy. "Then let's go! It'll be a nice little break!"
---
Meanwhile, in the main pavilion of Tianyin, the leaders of the alliance were preparing strategies to face the threat from Dark Blood.
"Master Seong, where are you going?" asked Mo Tian as he saw him turning away.
Seong Whak gave a small smile. "I heard there'll be a performance at the square. I just want… a moment to relax."
Mo Tian frowned, concerned. "But we're in a critical period. The strategy meeting is about to begin."
"Rest is part of strategy too," Seong replied calmly, walking away.
---
By afternoon, Tianyin Square was buzzing with life. Children ran around gleefully, food vendors called out with local specialties, and street performers showcased their talents. The atmosphere felt peaceful—a sweet pause in a world riddled with tension.
Amid the crowd, Seong Whak suddenly stopped. His gaze locked onto a man standing with his back to the sunset.
Something about him felt familiar.
When the man turned around, their eyes met.
"Senior Jian?" Seong murmured, surprised.
"Seong Whak?" Jian Mo was equally stunned.
Mo Tian, standing beside Seong, looked confused. "You two… know each other?"
"Senior Jian used to be my mentor," Seong answered, holding back a nostalgic smile.
"It's been a while, Seong. I thought you were dead," Jian Mo said, half-joking.
They chuckled lightly. Time seemed to slow down, letting them sit together on a wooden bench in the square. In the distance, Su Daji's laughter and Tang Wu's loud shouting painted the sunset in warmth.
"Senior… I thought you were dead too," said Seong.
Jian Mo turned to him, a faint smile on his lips. "Who do you think I am? I killed Seo Whan, remember?"
"Haha, true," Seong chuckled, though his eyes were serious. "But after that… how did you go on?"
Jian Mo fell silent. The evening breeze stirred fallen leaves.
"After I killed Seo Whan, I was just a demon with no direction. I lost myself… felt unworthy of life. Everything I did felt meaningless. But…"
He looked at Su Daji, who was laughing carefreely.
"…just when I was about to give up, that light came. She stayed by me through the darkness. She saved me."
Seong listened closely. The man before him was no longer the cold killer—but someone who had weathered the storm.
"And what about you, Seong?" Jian Mo asked seriously.
Seong sighed. "Unlike you, I isolated myself. I kept training without rest. I didn't want to be protected forever. Today, I'm the one who will protect others."
"You've changed, Seong."
"So have you, senior."
A moment of silence.
Then Seong spoke, his voice softer, but filled with meaning,
"Seo Whan's trail has reappeared. I'm forming a plan to face it. Senior, will you return and lend your strength? For Murim… one more time."
He extended his hand.
The world seemed to freeze. The air tightened, Jian Mo's aura nearly burst forth. His breathing grew uneven.
But his eyes returned to Su Daji.
The aura slowly faded.
Jian Mo stood and looked up at the sunset sky.
"I fought hard against the darkness I created, Seong. I can't—no, I won't go back."
He lowered his gaze.
"I'm just a father now. I want to atone for my past… and live peacefully with them."
"But… senior—"
"If this world is doomed, then let me fall with it. But I won't return to the life that tore me apart. I'll only protect my little family. Nothing more."
He sat back down and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Seong… it's your turn now. I'm done. I can no longer drown myself in that dark world."
Seong stared at him for a long time, then gave a firm nod.
"Then I will atone for our past, senior."