It took a long time for Jin and Ame to share their feelings and express themselves to one another.

Love was a complex thing.

Parting was hard.

In the end, however, the time kept moving and Jin had to leave.

...

As Jin left alongside Drem and Nangua, he did not turn around. Neither was Ame watching him from afar.

They did not consult each other about it but they both felt it unconsciously: It would be even harder if they looked at each other now.

...

After having moved far enough that the Sect was no longer in sight, Jin asked his two companions: "So, where are we supposed to go?"

Ness pondered for a moment before he stated: "Since we are in the Cobra Kingdom, we should lay low. How about going to the city of Huklm?"

Nangua nodded approvingly even though he did not know where it was. Jin agreed too.

As they walked, Jin wondered.

Why did he even agree to follow this stranger so easily?

Why did he even believe everything he said so easily?

Why did everyone actually did?

...

Gen was laughing in his underground.

He was free and alive. He had started a brand new sect alongside a strong ally. And the greatest danger finally left.

He could finally focus on growing stronger without having to care about anyone but himself.

Risa was looking at the horizon while thinking.

Now that Jin left, she, like Gen, was free.

Or nearly...

Both of them thought of Ame at the same time...

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

However, while Gen was thinking of having her 'leave', Risa was thinking of roping her to her side...

...

Jin kept thinking about it but could not reach an answer. Did he actually end up tricked again?

It was not like he could ask about it right now either.

What convinced him anyways?

Nangua found that the way Jin acted was suspicious so he asked him: "What's wrong, young master?"

Jin stopped.

He looked at the cat-like being in front of him.

This was a pinnacle-level cultivator. A being who reached the 69th stage. If he was trying to trap him, Jin was dead regardless of what he would try. This was someone on the level of his teacher, Hae-Hyuk.

So, could it be that because he was not killed, he placed his trust in that man?

No...

Ame.

That's right. This was why. It was because of love.

Regardless of his will, he would not have been to refuse whatever Ness decided. However, by leaving with Ness, only he would fall into the trap if there was one...

Unconsciously he had acted out of love.

To protect.

And, now that he was here, with his life already on the line, already belonging to another, what could he fear?

He asked Ness: "What is your goal?"

Ness answered in a chill way: "I already told you, I was ordered to by The Nightmare. I have no choice."

Jin continued: "You received a task but what do you plan to do? You told me yourself that you don't believe that we stand a chance."

Ness nodded: "That does not mean I want to die. Especially after reaching such a height. I want to live long."

Nangua chuckled: "So, you think that your death is set and you plan to try to prolong it?"

Ness laughed as he acknowledged the deduction.

Jin cut him: "I don't plan to wait fro death."

Nangua added: "Me neither."

Ness pointed behind me: "Neither do I which is why we're going to Huklm. It's a trading city. We will go buy the necessary items before we start moving around."

Jin asked: "What do you plan to buy?"

Ness chuckled: "How about something for you guys to absorb to continue on the path of cultivation?"

Nangua patted Jin on his back: "Young Master, it seems like we are in luck amidst the despair"

Jin sighed.

They kept moving forward.

...

A few days later, they reached the city of Huklm.

It was a bunch of giant buildings built all over the place without a care about architecture. There were no gates around to protect the city either. They moved directly towards a certain street under the lead of Ness.

They passed by all kinds of places.

Buildings made of wood next to buildings made of clays. A blue building next to one with a bunch of colors painted all over one another without rhyme or reason.

Buildings that seemed inverted, some half-finished, some shrouded in fogs or just a door leading to the underground....

And beyond that, the incredible variety of beings moving all over the place. There were many humans but also many of those that had some beasts or plants traits. Demi-humans, monsters...Whatever. There was just about everything.

Ness introduced the city: "This place is basically an open black-market. Everyone is welcome. As long as you have money or items to trade, obviously."

Nangua asked jokingly: "What about those without?"

Ness stated firmly: "You won't find any so make sure to always have some coins to your name on you"

Jin pondered over Ness's attitude for a moment before he got distracted by a humanoid figure with a whale's head wearing a human's scalp as a hat...

Ness led them to an inn called 'The Sixth's life'.

It was a giant building of two dozen floors. Extremely rectangular and completey made of black bricks. There were green neon light all over it depicting a picture of the side of a cat.

Ness entered and the other two followed.

They were greeted by four half-cat beings dressed in suits bowing. Ness told them: "Make sure to treat those two as if they were me. And keep our presence confidential"

"Nyes, Master!" they answered brightly.

Ness brought them to a door and told them: "Follow me"

There was nothing inside and it was rather small. Ness jumped upwards. As he looked, Jin understood.

There was no need for elevators for cultivators, they simply jumped up...It was faster too.

And so, they jumped towards the highest floor.

The 25th floor.

After arriving, Ness told them: "This floor is all ours. We won't be disturbed. Now then, how about we start preparing a long-term plan to get us through the distance?"