Ming climbed the mountain steadily, his movements light despite the steep incline.
Behind him, Jinhai struggled.
After climbing for a while, Ming glanced down.
"Are you alright down there?"
Jinhai, who was sweating and trembling from exhaustion, forced a bitter smile.
"Y-Yes…"
On the other hand, Wrath climbed effortlessly.
Using her Ice Art, she created sharp ice spears and plunged them into the rock, gripping and pulling herself upward with precision.
Compared to Jinhai… she looked like she was taking a casual walk.
After some time, Jinhai finally reached the top.
The moment his feet touched solid ground, he collapsed onto his back.
"Haa… haa… I can't do this anymore…"
Ming walked over and lightly kicked him.
"Stop whining. We just got here."
Jinhai groaned but then followed Ming's gaze.
Ahead of them stood a wooden barricade. Several rebels guarded the entrance, watching the mountain path carefully.
Before anyone could react—
A crow suddenly flew from the barricade.
It soared straight toward Ming.
In an instant, it landed on his shoulder.
Ming gently patted its head.
"Did you miss me?"
The crow gave a sharp cry, almost as if answering yes.
Then—
The bird leapt from his shoulder.
Instead of flying away, it plunged directly into Ming's shadow…
…and disappeared.
Just like his sword.
Jinhai stared in shock.
His mouth opened slightly.
He wanted to ask.
He really did.
But he stopped himself.
In Murim , asking about another warrior's techniques was forbidden.
So he swallowed the question.
And kept walking.
As they approached the wooden barricade, one of the watch guards noticed them.
Three figures.
One beautiful woman.
Two men.
The guard's expression changed instantly.
"Enemy attack!"
He rang the alarm bell.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Call the General!"
More rebels rushed in from every direction, weapons drawn. In seconds, Ming, Wrath, and Jinhai were surrounded.
"Stop right there!" one of them shouted. "Who are you? What do you want?"
Jinhai looked around in panic.
"My Lord… are we in the wrong place?"
Another bell rang.
Hearing the alarm, every soldier in the camp grabbed their weapons and formed a tight circle around them.
The tension was thick.
One rebel stepped forward again.
"Answer! Who are you?"
Ming ignored him.
"Is Gluttony here?"
The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
Their General had changed his name to Gluttony… but they didn't know whether it was safe to reveal that to strangers.
Before anyone could respond—
A deep voice echoed from behind them.
"What is going on here?"
Everyone turned.
Four figures approached.
Gluttony.
Greed.
Envy.
Pride.
One wore a general's armor and carried a spear.
One wore monk robes.
One wore a daoist robe.
One dressed in simple civilian clothes.
As they drew closer—
They saw Ming.
Their eyes widened.
Without hesitation, the four hurried forward.
Even though Ming was younger than all of them—
They bowed deeply.
"We welcome our Lord."
Silence fell over the entire camp.
Shock spread across every rebel's face.
Even Jinhai stared in disbelief.
All four of them… they're strong…
Gluttony turned toward his stunned soldiers.
"What are you all standing there for?!"
"Kneel and welcome the Lord!"
At once, the surrounding rebels dropped to one knee.
Ming stood calmly at the center of it all.
He looked at the four of them.
"Is everything alright here?" he asked lightly. "I arrived on time… didn't I?"
Gluttony lowered his head respectfully.
"Yes, my Lord. You are perfectly on time."
"And we are all well."
"But the Black Serpent Sect is already on the move," Gluttony said.
"They are coming. The war is about to begin."
For a brief moment, Ming's expression shifted slightly.
Just slightly.
Jinhai clenched his teeth at the mention of that sect.
They were the ones who killed his brother.
Pride stepped forward, straight-backed and calm.
"At first, I was a little concerned," he admitted. "But now that Lord is here… everything changes."
Greed nodded immediately.
"With Lord here, there is nothing to worry about."
Envy looked at Ming carefully.
"My Lord, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest first. We can discuss everything afterward."
As he spoke, he shot Gluttony a sharp glance — as if reminding him not to overwhelm their Lord the moment he arrived.
Ming looked at Wrath and Jinhai.
"You two should rest."
Then his gaze shifted to Pride and Gluttony.
"You. Come with me. Tell me everything."
Gluttony nodded without hesitation.
The three of them walked away.
The surrounding rebels stared in disbelief.
That young man…
Was the master of their General?
And not just any general—
A Heaven-Rank martial artist.
Whispers spread through the camp.
Seeing their doubt, Greed and Envy exchanged a look.
Envy stepped forward calmly.
"Do not judge our Lord by his appearance."
His voice carried authority.
"If he wished…"
"He alone could kill all of you combined."
Silence.
One soldier swallowed nervously.
"Sir… isn't that an exaggeration? We are a thousand strong…"
Envy smiled faintly.
"You will understand when the time comes."