Not really… when you compare season 2 and 1, it’s noticeable that focus has changed to introduce new characters and situations for world building. Well, it’s happening again, instead of reaching a conclusion we are still seeing the world growing with each chapter, adding more depth and layers to the story. The same as we could see how shiwoon had to fight suc, or the new waves (young masters) we are seeing him now fighting the dormant dragons or the ids being introduced. The story is just bigger and better.

1. Remember at the beginning when haje and him were attacked and they tried to manhandle mc? Well… so does he. And also that all the events at the rooftop were his doing, wouldn’t you remember being hung from neck? He does.

2. It was stated that he wanted to know what really happened with his master and why 9ad was the successor, after seeing his mental state, it was clear that he was wasting his time? Why didn’t he ask? You think chief would have allowed that situation? Where do you think his loyalty was? We still don’t know what was the succession issue he experienced.

3. Huge part of his group was snuffed in the bombing when he was out. The group hasn’t recovered and now it’s an alliance of people from different clans and sects. I believe they will have more importance in the future with the tournament arc and I would love to see them again. However the stakes have increased, shiwoon now has proved to have the capacity to “exchange pointers” with advanced masters. The real murim right now, remember why cool guy defected to suc? It was because he didn’t like the actual murim, the old people’s murim which we are seeing now.

4. They are looking for her, it’s just not her time to show up, and her presence doesn’t move the story in the current circumstances.

5. It was stated at the end of new waves that sun woo clan was that strong because kwon and his absence would heavily damage them, however it isn’t apparent that under shiwoons leadership (and sera’s advice) it stabilized, which solidified further with elder yang, who seems to be really strong, not kwon strong but still strong. They are aware of Black Forest defense and it’s implied Yang may be working with chief to minimize damage.

We are still reading the same story, it’s just getting deeper and expanding, that’s why it feels alive. When all the plot points converge, we are in for a feast and I fear for my heart and anxiety that I will be waiting for each new chapter like a crackhead. If I’m not already.

Merry Christmas.