The man approached Hae-Hyuk's table and greeted him first. There was some decorum to abide by after all. As someone who had been alive for even longer than Hae-Hyuk, he, of course, knew him. After a few pleasantries, Hae-Hyuk asked him about the young woman behind him.

The man spoke: "This is Princess Theorurin Hyo-Ju, the most talented of our latest generation. I took her here so as to broaden her horizon"

Hae-Hyuk nodded and looked at her through his blindfold. He could easily see that she wasn't even thirty yet already close to the 30th stage. She was at the 28th stage in fact. More than enough to be considered a genius in cultivation. Considering her upbringing though, it wasn't that unexpected though.

Of course, she couldn't compare to Sophia who was the sole heir to a pinnacle cultivator but she did belong to a pinnacle power and seemed to be very valued. She would have been given the best of the best without a doubt.

Hae-Hyuk did not take much interest in her. She was, in the end, inferior to Sophia. The birthplace did play an impressive role. Anyways, as per customs, Hae-Hyuk introduced Sophia next. Compared to Hyo-Jo, Sophia was rather uncaring about it. She wasn't overly polite and she didn't even give a second glance at the princess.

Hyo-Jo did not take offense though. She was arrogant but smart and she knew that she could not be arrogant here. The smallest ant in this place had a background she couldn't offend. That did not mean she wasn't going to remember this bitch though.

After a few more exchanges, the man from the Empire began to send the conversation towards Jin: "So, this must be the Colorful Spear, Jin. His surname has traveled far and wide for a young cultivator"

Hae-Hyuk nodded as he wondered what this old bastard was scheming this time. Maybe he planned to bribe his disciples? This was unlikely to work though. He would let it happen if that was it. The kids would get free stuff that way.

The man from the Empire smiled towards Jin as he introduced himself: "Nice to meet you, little Jin, I am Theorurin Chunso, nicknamed the Obscure Sun, First Protector of the 22 Suns Empire of Theorurin"

Jin greeted him back politely: "Nice to meet you, Senior Chunso, I am Jin"

Jin didn't introduce his nickname. He was still a bit spooked by it. And it wasn't worth much anyways. Compared to the old cultivator, whatever Jin was, he was insignificant. And Chunso didn't seem to mind either. He brought a hand behind himself to introduce his descendant, the princess: "This is Princess Theorurin Hyo-Ju but you have probably already met her before?"

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Jin had indeed seen this woman but at a time when she was still no more than a girl. She had been there during the border war that changed his fate. She was one of the four leaders of the Empire back then. However, as someone who had tried to lay low, he had never truly encountered her. He had seen her from afar. And he didn't consider that meaning that they met. Which is what saved him unknowingly as he said: "I have not and it is my honor to finally be able to. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Princess Hyo-Ju"

Chunso found it unexpected but did not detect a lie from the kid's speech. Since he did not know her, then it was unlikely that he knew about her plot back then. In the end, he decided to let the girl find out for sure and went back to discuss with Hae-Hyuk and the few others at the table, excusing himself politely: "Well then, this old man shouldn't intrude in the discussion of the younger ones"

The princess asked if she could take a seat and Jin allowed her. He wouldn't have dared to refuse. Who knew what kind of extreme shit he could end up in if he bumped into the wrong one in this place? The princess began to chat excitedly with him and he was forced to go along. He decided to do so since he was stuck in this hall anyways and not doing it might bring negative repercussions.

Of course, it was all part of the princess's scheme. She spoke about worthless topics and gossips at the beginning in order to force the guy to open up. She realized he was truly pushing himself to play the part too. He probably didn't give a fuck about her internally. She couldn't blame him since he was a champion and so, likely to die in a few days. Why would someone living his last moments care about his face? But she needed to make sure in case he had shared some secrets with others...

And even more so if it wasn't him. Because if the one who got that ring was still at large...

After a few exchanges, she began to change topics and head towards the border war: "You know, there was a time when I joined a border war myself. I was quite young back then but it was customary for the young royals to join one"

Jin knew that. He was there. But he faked interest: "Is that so? It must have been quite the experience"

She nodded knowingly. She was very good at judging reactions. Since her Ancestor was taking part in this event, he had taken the time to research the champions of his rivals. This Jin was one they managed to uncover much about.

She knew he had been there. Everyone knew Hae-Hyuk found his second disciple at the end of this border war. What she wanted to know was whether he was the one who first got this ring and if he was the last one to speak with her brother. She didn't care about him but what he knew.

So, she said: "I figured it would be interesting to compare our experience about this war. It is quite rare to find a survivor from the losing camp after all"

Jin's expression changed.