A woman entered this time. She was gorgeous like any other who walked the path of cultivation. Women enjoyed looking good much more than men so, of course, they would all do their best to remain forever graceful and pretty. This woman was no different.

She had the hourglass figure and the doll-like face. She had gray hair and gray eyes too but her robe wasn't like Ma Song-Min's. Her robe was blue with many grey birds depicted. It looked really good.

But more than anything, it was the sword held in her hands that attracted attention. As she entered, she screamed: "Hae-Hyuk! Come out! We have something to settle!"

As he saw her, the Ryu Patriarch lost consciousness. It had been too much. The elder closest to him notice it and hurried to help him. As for the others who didn't, they felt their doom. This impressive woman was of the same level as Ma Song-Min and she seemed ready to fuck things up. If she did it here, their entire headquarters would be blown away.

Opposite to their anxiousness, Hae-Hyuk remained calm. He gazed at the woman, smiled slightly and told her: "I didn't come for this, In Hye-Ja. Why don't you have a seat like Song-Min?"

She was fuming as she retorted angrily: "Take a seat? Take a seat?! Get up this instant! I am not Hye-Ja if I don't put you down today!"

"Then who are you?"

She got so angry by his answer that the air began to dangerously crack around her. It made the elders panic but what could they do? If they were to speak in this situation, this mad woman might just kill them on the spot. As for the mad woman herself, she was ready to pounce on Hae-Hyuk.

Hae-Hyuk coughed before he tried to appease her: "How about one top-level technique and you forget this past?"

She stopped emitting energy in the surroundings and put away her sword. She now walked leisurely and gracefully with a slight smile on her face as she took a seat next to Hae-Hyuk, after forcing the poor elder that previously had it away. That elder however was grateful for that. After she took a seat, she spoke delicately: "Forgiven~"

At that moment, Song-Min snorted. He received a glare but so what? This fucking bitch was always like that. She could sell her own clan if it would benefit her. What a shameless old hag!

Those two were the strongest in this land and, as such, had their clans being the de-facto rulers. Their relationship was strained to say the least due to the numerous conflicts resulting from that. But they themselves weren't that opposed. It was mostly a problem for their descendants to deal with. They had bigger matters to deal with. Like those related to this Hae-Hyuk.

Both of them had refused to help him so why did he have to come again? It would make it look as if they did if he decided to stay and that wouldn't be good for either of them. Song-Min asked him: "What did you come here for if not to convince us again?"

Hae-Hyuk once more pointed to the disciple that was meditating and introduced him: "Visiting my disciple's family"

Hye-Ja looked at him curiously before she said: "So that's little Min-Su... Why is he meditating?"

Hae-Hyuk: "He's trying to master beast communication"

Hye-Ja: "Oh? So, you taught him beast taming too, uh. ... Wait. Isn't that a Carnassid? You actually got him such a thing. You are really invested this time around"

Hae-Hyuk: "He got it himself through a lucky encounter. You know that if I gave it myself, it would be against the rules"

Hye-Ja nodded before she turned to the other two youths. She pointed to the guy: "That must be the other disciple, Jin, right?"

Hae-Hyuk nodded. Then, she pointed to the girl and asked: "And so, who is this one?"

Sophia hurried to introduce herself: "I am Sophia Crowe! Master Hae-Hyuk's legacy disciple!"

Both Song-Min and Hye-Ja were surprised by her introduction. Not only did they know that family name but they got surprised at her title too. Song-Min looked at Hae-Hyuk and asked: "Isla got her daughter?" and Hae-Hyuk nodded. Then it was Hye-Ja who spoke: "Isla must have given you quite the gift in exchange... Do you think you could take in one of my great grandkids in if I give you a similar gift"

Hae-Hyuk rejected her: "Isla promised to help me, not you. Though if you changed your mind..."

"Forget it. Anyways, I don't believe you are only here to meet this disciple's family. What are you scheming this time?"

Hae-Hyuk pondered for a moment. He had no reasons to explain himself to the Ryu Patriarch since he didn't have to worry about him interfering but those two...He decided to come clean: "I plan to stay here to train them until it begins"

Both Song-Min and Hye-Ja hurriedly rejected him: "No!"

Hae-Hyuk lifted one hand, stopping them from rambling further before explaining himself: "Don't worry, you two will benefit from this. Hear me out at least"

As soon as he said that they would benefit, Hye-Ja was more inclined to listen. She signed for him to go on. And he said: "I will have them spar with people and grant techniques to those who beat them. A win-win situation, right?"

Song-Min: "If it was that simple. But it certainly isn't, right?"

Hae-Hyuk sighed. Admittedly, it would be slightly more complex than that but the idea was there. He told them: "I will tell you in detail later. For now, I need to deal with my lodgings..."

Meanwhile, Ryu Yong-Sik finally reached his lands. His butlers arrived to welcome him. They weren't expecting him but who were they to rebuke their master for returning home? They hurriedly and humbly greeted his return. He had no time for this drivel though and told them: "Call my idiot son Jin-Hwan to the lobby right now!"

One of the butlers courageously said: "Master Jin-Hwan is in the Flower Palace at the moment..."

Ryu Yong-Sik couldn't believe his ears. This dumb son of his was still indulging himself?! When their clan was facing such dangers?! He screamed at the butlers: "I don't care! Bring him to me! Even if you have to beat him up! Now!"

The butlers left in a hurry. Their Master was angry, it was a bad time to stay close-by. What's more, it wasn't everyday they could fetch the young master while being allowed to rough him up...