Listening to all of Ming's words, Jinhai clenched his fists tightly.
After a long silence, he slowly opened his mouth.
"I… don't know how to answer your question," Jinhai said, looking toward Ming.
Ming turned around and faced him.
"But I know one thing," Jinhai continued. "I cannot kill an innocent man. Even if it's for my brother's revenge… even if it's to become stronger."
For a moment, there was only silence between them.
Then—
Ming smiled faintly.
Because that was the difference between them.
Ming was someone who could dirty his hands for revenge.
Jinhai… was someone who still wanted revenge without staining his soul.
"You're naïve," Ming said calmly. "If you think you can take revenge while remaining a good person."
Jinhai smiled back.
"I know," he replied.
"That's why I'm following you."
Ming's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Because I know," Jinhai continued, "you're the one who will make me strong enough to take my revenge."
Hearing Jinhai's words, Ming turned around and began walking without saying anything.
Jinhai looked at his back with hopeful eyes.
But Ming didn't say a single word.
Jinhai hesitated. He didn't take a step forward.
Then—
Ming stopped and turned his head slightly.
"What?" he said calmly. "Are you not coming?"
For a second, Jinhai froze.
Then his face lit up with joy.
"Yes!" he shouted, quickly running after Ming.
A moment later, Wrath returned at full speed. She stopped in front of Ming and bowed.
"My lord. I finished them all."
Ming simply nodded.
"From now on," he said calmly, "Jinhai will be our companion. But he is not one of the Seven Sins. He will only follow us."
Wrath nodded without objection. Her cold eyes briefly glanced at Jinhai, studying him.
Then the three of them began walking together.
After some time, Ming asked,
"How long will it take for us to reach Pride and the others?"
Wrath replied, "I don't know. This is my first time walking in this world."
Ming looked at her with curiosity.
"Then… how did you reach Red Line?"
The moment he asked that, Wrath lowered her head.
Silence fell.
Ming immediately understood that he had touched on something heavy.
He didn't press further.
Instead, he gently patted her head.
"For now," he said softly, "after we deal with Gluttony's problem, we'll go to the Ice Palace."
He looked at her calmly.
"We'll get our answers there."
Wrath's face suddenly flushed red.
She quickly stepped back, creating a small distance between them.
Ming was slightly baffled by Wrath's reaction.
Jinhai was also confused when Wrath suddenly stepped back.
But then… as if understanding something, Jinhai awkwardly coughed.
After all, Ming was much younger than Wrath.
For him to casually pat her head like that… it was a little embarrassing.
Jinhai almost chuckled—
But the moment Wrath looked at him, her eyes were filled with murderous intent.
A chill ran down Jinhai's spine.
Wrath turned back to Ming and spoke calmly.
"My lord, I understand that you have accepted Jinhai as your companion."
Jinhai suddenly had a very bad feeling.
Wrath continued, "However… he is quite weak."
Jinhai's heart sank.
"So I was thinking," she said coldly, "I should train him."
Ming thought for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"You're right. He does need training."
He looked at Jinhai and gave him a faint smile.
"You're lucky. Wrath herself will train you."
Jinhai started sweating.
Ming turned to Wrath.
"Go ahead."
Wrath's lips curved into a cold smile.
"Yes, my lord."
Before Jinhai could react, she grabbed him by the collar and dragged him away.
Moments later—
Ming only heard Jinhai's distant scream echoing through the forest.
"Aaaaaahhhhhh—!"
Ming calmly continued walking.
On the other side of the river—
A figure slowly crawled out of the water.
It was the bandit who had jumped off the cliff.
He was still alive.
His breathing was shallow. Blood mixed with river water as it dripped from his torn clothes. The wound in his stomach had nearly killed him—but somehow, he had survived.
After some time, a villager who had come to collect water noticed him lying near the riverbank.
Startled, the villager called for help.
They carried him back to the village.
A day later.
The bandit slowly opened his eyes.
His vision was blurry at first. He looked around and realized he was inside a small wooden house.
The smell of herbs filled the air.
An old woman was quietly cooking something over a small fire.
He tried to sit up.
The old woman noticed and turned toward him.
"Oh? You're awake," she said calmly.
The bandit nodded weakly.
He didn't thank her.
Instead, greed flickered in his eyes.
"Can you…" he said hoarsely, "call a member of the Black Serpent Sect here?"
The old woman frowned slightly.
"I have very important news for them," he continued. "I know where the Blood Cult member is going."
His lips curved into a faint smile.
Even after nearly dying…
He was still thinking about reward money.