This meant that his identity was out in the open...But then, so what? He was under the wing of Hae-Hyuk. Who would dare do anything? Jin had been with his Master for a few years now and it had become quite obvious that he would be able to cultivate peacefully without a care. The shade from his Master was large enough.

He looked at the cultivator in front of him, unimpressed. Since even this random guy knew of it, it was likely that many more knew, especially those on top. Or rather, they could know if they ever wanted to. There were no reasons for powerful cultivators to care too much about him. He believed so.

That being said, he was quite curious about Soo-Hyun now. He did do something quite risky for her... He looked at the guy who went on: "Surprised? I wonder how the sect will react when they learn that you survived but did not come back"

Jin snickered as he told him: "From dead to defector? Doesn't matter much. That aside, why would you be interested about me?"

The cultivator smiled as he nodded to himself before he answered: "Right. Now, that's the real question, ain't it? It makes me a little sad that you don't recognize me but it can't be helped, years went by after all"

Recognize? Jin focused a bit more and tried to recall the facial features of this guy. But to no avail. He couldn't remember. He could recall most of faces of people he saw but he couldn't match any with this guy's. The cultivator sighed, faking being hurt, as he gave him the answer: "Sang-Kyu. Ring any bells?"

With the name, Jin obviously remembered someone. A cowardly kid that was the reason he had gone to that border war in the first place back then. As he realized it, he felt it difficult to admit. Because the guy grew handsome compared to his young self. A true case of the toad turning into a prince.

Sang-Kyu chuckled as he could guess Jin's thoughts. Then, he asked him: "Aren't you curious?"

Jin asked back: "About?"

Sang-Kyu answered: "Soo-Hyun maybe?"

Jin nodded. It was true that he was curious. He did see her like a little sister back then. No longer after so many years but he still recalled fond memories of his interactions with the little girl. She had brightened his every day back then with her childish antics. He did not particularly want to meet her again but it was true that he was curious about her situation. He saved her hoping she would have a bright future after all. He didn't mind admitting it: "That's true. How is she doing?"

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Sang-Kyu answered him: "Good. It was very difficult at first for her... Your letter, then the funeral, then when some powerful elder ordered for your tatue to be destroyed...It all brought back the phantom memory you left behind. She did overcome the grief. She's in the inner court now and she has become my fiancée"

Jin smiled. He was happy for her from the bottom of his heart. It was good that she got over his 'death' and moved on. There were many who died every day and she would get used to it in time. As for him, he would be just a friend she met during childhood. The memory would remain but it would become less and less important. That's time's job.

Anyways, he was quite surprised to hear that his statue had been destroyed. It pained him. The other guys with statues died too but no one destroyed them... It felt unfair and probably was. But it couldn't be helped since what's been done is done. He could always have a statue of him build again later on. He did have high expectations for himself and lofty goals. A statue or two on the way was no problem.

Jin looked at the man in front of him. To think the coward into a man and even get the girl of his dreams. He had neither a big nor a good impression of this dude but he didn't bother getting acquaintained to him much back then either. There was only one question that remained though: "So, since everything is going well, what are you doing here? You didn't come solely to say these things, right?"

The man chuckled. Jin was right. He didn't come to reminisce or have a nice chat. He told Jin: "I want you to disappear. For Soo-Hyun"

Jin snickered. He had guessed it would be something dumb like that. He couldn't imagine what was in the mind of this young man for him to reach this kind of conclusion. He found it funny though. The Ryu clan elders did too as they laughed from the sidelines.

Sang-Kyu spoke once more after he realized they misunderstood him: "Ah, I have no intentions to kill you, don't misunderstand. I am not stupid enough to try that... I came to confirm it and warn you to keep your previous identity dead. If Soo-Hyun learnt that you were still alive...Well, you get me, right?"

Jin laughed as he pointed his spear forward: "I don't. But I have no reasons to go back anyways. Now, stop wasting time"

After those words, Sang-Kyu smiled and savagely beat up Jin before throwing him out of bounds. He had done his best to inflict pain without winning. The facts were actually far from what he said. He was truly in love with Soo-Hyun but it was more of a one-way love than anything else. As for the fiancée part...A lie.

His greatest enemy was this guy in front of him. The one Soo-Hyun still remembered and compared everyone to. Due to Jin, he had no opportunities to court her. Because her memory of him was glorified to the point that no man was good enough compared to this ghost...

He came here to confirm his suspicions. And since the man was really alive, he would make sure to beat him up until his anger diffused. Since he could use elements and not Jin, he would always have the upper hand in their battles... He would make sure this man would never try to meet Soo-Hyun again for fear of being killed by him.

She was his woman.