"The Black Sky Sword Sect."

Just speaking their name made the killing intent in my core boil over.

These were the ones who had taken the lives of Seol Lihyang and Seo Mun-Hwarin in my past life.

My hand instinctively tightened around my sword hilt.

The urge to cut them down immediately surged within me.

Just as I was struggling to suppress my rising bloodlust, a cold voice came from Seo Mun-Hwarin's small back.

"So, if you're not here to fight or make another offer… are you saying you came to threaten me? With a bunch of vermin I didn't finish off?"

"Hah! Don’t be ridiculous. This isn't a threat—it's a negotiation, White-Haired Rakshasa."

Thunk!

"If you agree to join the Black Lotus Society right here and now, I will spare you. I will also spare that little one you're so desperate to protect. And as a bonus, I have a gift prepared just for you."

With a wide grin, he gestured towards the Black Sky Sword Sect.

They, too, glared at Seo Mun-Hwarin with undisguised hatred.

Yet despite Sangwan Geuk blatantly offering them up as a bargaining chip, none of them so much as flinched.

No—one man at the front of their ranks was even openly exuding killing intent.

I didn't recognize his face.

But the moment I saw him, I knew.

A warrior at the Sub-Perfection Stage.

A sword—its hilt, scabbard, and likely even the blade itself dyed in pure black.

And those eyes, filled with nothing but vengeance, just like mine and Seo Mun-Hwarin’s had been once before.

The Black Sky Sword Lord.

He probably wasn't famous enough to be called that yet.

But in my past life, I had only seen him with his skull crushed by Seo Mun-Hwarin.

Even so, I recognized him.

This was the man who had pierced Seo Mun-Hwarin’s heart.

The one who had died before I could exact my revenge.

Tch.

I clenched my teeth unconsciously.

Sangwan Geuk chuckled.

"But if you refuse my generosity… well, then I have no choice.

"The gift will have to become a dagger instead."

"Hah! Negotiation? Please—this is nothing but a threat.

"Did you really think I would fear you?"

"Of course not. But if you refuse me, then I will have no choice but to side with the Black Sky Sword Sect, who are now my new subordinates."

His smirk deepened as he pointed toward me.

Seo Mun-Hwarin’s eyes wavered slightly.

"If you had truly wanted him dead, you would have killed him already. You could have done it during the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, or after you kidnapped him. But you didn’t. Instead, you two have been running around like star-crossed lovers, hiding together. Because of that, it wasn’t hard for these vengeful bastards to track you down."

"...Tch!"

Seo Mun-Hwarin clicked her tongue and glared at the Black Sky Sword Sect.

Their leader trembled slightly under her sheer presence but still turned toward me with a mocking smile.

"At the very least, you should suffer the same pain as us."

"...Have you already forgotten that the Black Sky Sword Sect attacked first?"

"Maybe. But in the end, my father died by your hands, White-Haired Rakshasa. I refuse to let you walk away and live happily."

His voice dripped with hatred.

I see.

So that's how it was.

The incident of Seo Mun-Hwarin kidnapping me had undoubtedly spread.

And the Black Sky Sword Sect, consumed by revenge, must have caught wind of it.

But when they heard that Seo Mun-Hwarin had ascended to the Flowering Stage, they must have despaired.

Their leader might have reached Sub-Perfection, but Flowering Stage was an entirely different realm.

I knew that one day, this man would ascend to the Flowering Stage himself and be called the Black Sky Sword Lord.

But neither he nor anyone else knew that now.

Even he couldn’t be certain of his future breakthrough.

In my past life, Seo Mun-Hwarin had immediately joined the Black Lotus Society after being exposed at the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering.

That had given no time for this situation to unfold.

But this time, she had been on the run with me.

And in that window of time, the Black Sky Sword Sect had made a gamble.

If they couldn’t kill Seo Mun-Hwarin, they would at least make her feel their pain.

They must have approached Sangwan Geuk with an offer—

Let us join the Black Lotus Society, and in return, we’ll give you Seo Mun-Hwarin’s whereabouts.

All we ask is one thing—the chance to kill the one she holds dear.

For Sangwan Geuk, it was a convenient deal.

He needed Seo Mun-Hwarin in the Black Lotus Society, so he had agreed to use the Black Sky Sword Sect to pressure her.

If she accepted his proposal, then that was the end of it.

The Black Sky Sword Sect would lose their chance at revenge, but they would likely fight to the death here, unwilling to let things end quietly.

But if Seo Mun-Hwarin refused… then things would change.

Sangwan Geuk would restrain Seo Mun-Hwarin—

And the Black Sky Sword Sect would take that opportunity to attack me.

They probably assumed that no matter how strong I was, I couldn't handle a Sub-Perfection master, several Peak-level warriors, and dozens of elite fighters all at once.

In other words—

If Seo Mun-Hwarin didn't want to watch me die right in front of her, she had no choice but to join the Black Lotus Society.

This way, the Black Sky Sword Sect would get their revenge in some form, even if they couldn't kill me.

And Sangwan Geuk would get exactly what he wanted.

The only real losers in this scenario were the Black Sky Sword Sect themselves.

Because in either outcome…

Seo Mun-Hwarin would slaughter them all.

And yet, they knew this.

They knew, and they still threw themselves into the fire.

Fools driven by nothing but vengeance.

It was difficult to understand.

But I had to remember—this wasn’t the same Black Sky Sword Sect that Seo Mun-Hwarin had annihilated in the past.

Their leader was merely the son of the former master.

The warriors here were survivors—those who had lost everything to Seo Mun-Hwarin’s revenge.

They had no future, no purpose beyond their hatred.

To them, it didn’t matter if they lived or died.

All they wanted was to strike Seo Mun-Hwarin down, no matter the cost.

If they could kill me, it would be the perfect outcome.

But even if they failed, as long as they could brand her with the Black Lotus Society’s name, it would be enough.

Even if she spent the rest of her life living virtuously, Seo Mun-Hwarin would never escape the brand of the Unorthodox Faction.

And now, the Black Sky Sword Sect sought to shackle her to the Black Lotus Society, ensuring that she would never break free.

All because they wanted her to be miserable.

In my past life, Seo Mun-Hwarin had lived in endless regret and remorse.

That was why she had taught me everything she could—so that I would never walk the same path she did.

But this time… I wouldn't let it happen.

"Lord of the Black Lotus Society."

"Hm?"

"From what you just said, you’re only stopping Seo Mun-Hwarin from interfering—you don’t actually plan to kill me. Am I correct?"

"Oh? You’re sharper than I thought. That’s right. My goal is to bring the White-Haired Rakshasa into the Black Lotus Society, not make an enemy of her."

"Then what if… I kill every single member of the Black Sky Sword Sect?"

"...What?"

For a moment, Sangwan Geuk looked completely baffled.

Then, he threw his head back and let out a loud, boisterous laugh.

"Hah! You crazy bastard! You might be talented, but there’s a limit to recklessness. Are you actually serious?"

"If I don’t want Seo Mun-Hwarin to leave, then there’s only one path left. This fight is inevitable. If my plan fails, then I only ask that you step aside peacefully."

"Hah… Well, I can’t say you’re wrong."

Sangwan Geuk’s grin widened as he crossed his arms.

"Fine. If you really manage to kill every last one of them, I’ll keep my word. I’ll walk away from this fight. Sticking around any longer would just lead to a battle to the death with the White-Haired Rakshasa."

"Thank you."

Sangwan Geuk was violent and ruthless, a warrior who worshiped strength yet had no qualms about deception.

He acted magnanimous but was narrow-minded to the core.

Yet despite all that, he had still reigned as the supreme ruler of the Unorthodox Faction until the day he died.

He protected those within his sphere of influence and, for the most part, honored his own words.

That was why so many Unorthodox warriors followed him—because he was consistent.

I nodded lightly in his direction and turned to Seo Mun-Hwarin, who had been standing protectively in front of me the entire time.

"Senior Seo Mun-Hwarin."

Her body tensed.

"W-wait! This is too dangerous!

"If it means keeping you safe, then I will join the Black Lotus Society, so just—!"

"Anyone listening to you would think I’m walking to my death."

I smirked as I pulled her behind me.

"I wouldn’t do this if I wasn’t confident. Just trust me and watch. Don’t waste your strength fighting the Lord of the Black Lotus Society over nothing."

"How dare you talk nonsense! Do you really expect me to stand here and watch another Seo Mun Clan member die right before my eyes?!"

"...I haven’t even accepted your offer to be my adoptive parent yet."

"That’s not the point—!"

I grinned, deliberately repeating the words that had caused a misunderstanding before.

This time, however, I meant them with all my heart.

"Didn’t we promise?

"That we would be happy together? I’ll make sure it happens."

"......!"

Schiiing.

Seo Mun-Hwarin’s eyes widened as I slowly unsheathed my sword in front of her.

"Besides…"

I angled the blade toward the Black Sky Sword Sect.

"...I have my own debts to settle with them."

Vengeance wasn't their privilege alone.

It had only been buried beneath the surface—buried because of Tang Sowol, who had helped me suppress it.

But I still remembered.

I remembered Seol Lihyang’s dying words, left unfinished.

I remembered Seo Mun-Hwarin’s crimson blood, spilling across the white snow.

She had told me to forget.

But I never could.

I had engraved the memory into my very soul, branding it deep with the edge of my own blade.

I had done it once before.

So there was no reason I couldn't do it again.

The Black Sky Sword Sect had faced extinction at Seo Mun-Hwarin’s hands once before.

And in my past life, I had destroyed them a second time.

This life would be no different.

Ignoring Seo Mun-Hwarin’s desperate resistance, I stepped forward and pointed my sword straight ahead.

The rough hilt pressed into my palm.

The slightly heavier weight settled into my grip.

And before me—stood my enemies.

The clarity of the situation dispelled all doubts.

This was a problem I could solve with my sword.

Which meant…It was simple.

I just had to cut down every last one of them.

The Sub-Perfection Stage sect master, the six Peak Stage warriors, and the dozens of first-rate fighters—

Even the obstacle standing before me now.

I would cut through them all.

As I settled into my stance, the Black Sky Sword Sect’s leader scoffed.

"Unbelievable. Did you come here to commit suicide?"

"Did you know?"

I tilted my head and smirked.

"I’m actually engaged to Tang Sowol."

"...Hah! And why should I care? From the moment we heard that the White-Haired Rakshasa had undergone rejuvenation, we were already prepared to die. Did you really think we’d back down because of the Tang Clan?"

"Of course not. But since I’m part of the Tang Clan now…Wouldn’t it be appropriate to uphold their family motto?"

I took a deep breath.

Then, I let go.

I released the killing intent I had been suppressing for so long—

And along with it, the hell I had forced myself to ignore.

My inner world turned blood-red, filled with the sights and scents of that day.

The stench of burning flesh stung my nose.

The metallic tang of blood clung to my tongue.

Beyond the inferno engulfing the halls, I could see the corpses scattered across the blood-soaked ground.

And at the very depths of my mind, buried within my oldest, deepest scar—

A single camellia flower bloomed.

Its delicate petals swayed gently in the wind, carrying a faint, lingering fragrance.