I left the Song of the Villain and headed for the southern region where Blood Heaven Butcher’s residence was located.

Seong Daeryong, who was training in the yard, was shocked when he saw the white mask hanging from my waist.

“Ugh! Could it be? Did you kill the infamous Soma too?”

Seong Daeryong, seemingly surprised by his own words, quickly covered his mouth.

“Of course. Do you think I’d let such a villain live?”

When I coldly responded, Seong Daeryong lowered his hand from his mouth in relief.

“I’m glad to hear that. I really thought you’d killed him.”

“I told you I killed him!”

“You’re not foolish enough to carry the proof of murder on your waist, are you?”

“Do you think someone who knows that would ask if I killed him?”

“I was just so shocked when I saw the mask. But what’s with it? Are you planning to infiltrate the Song of the Villain?”

“You wouldn’t need it if you were infiltrating there. It’s probably more useful to you than to me.”

At that moment, my Wind God’s Secret Art was at a level where no faceless assassin could sense my presence.

“This is a gift from the infamous Soma.”

Seong Daeryong looked even more surprised.

“A gift from Soma?”

“Yes, and Soma personally bought it, even paying for it himself in the Ma Village.”

“It's more surprising that he carried money with him. I thought he'd just kill and take it. Anyway, you’ll be the first and last person to receive a gift from Soma.”

“Investigator Seo.”

“Yes?”

“Just like how we can’t predict people, we can’t predict our future either. Did you ever imagine we’d be having this conversation in the yard of Blood Heaven Butcher’s house when we first met?”

“True. Back when I was falling for your tricks in that tavern, I never imagined I’d end up in this hellish training.”

I smiled as I watched him sigh.

“Soon, you’ll say this too: ‘I never knew that hellish training would save my life.’”

Seong Daeryong gave a small smile. He was living proof of that. There was no sign of the rebelliousness or gloom that once marked him. One never knows what the future holds.

After watching him resume his training, I entered Blood Heaven Butcher’s house.

Blood Heaven Butcher was pulling books from the shelf.

“Keep playing around like that, and your head will be flying off.”

“Isn’t it beneath someone so refined as you to speak such lowly words?”

“That’s what you get for reading that cursed thing.”

I had entered the room wearing the white mask just as a joke.

I raised the mask above my head like a hat, just as I had done with Soma.

“I’m leaving with Soma tomorrow. I came to inform you that I’ll be away and to ask you to take care of things while I’m gone.”

Blood Heaven Butcher continued pulling books from the shelf without turning to look.

“Don’t worry about it. Things will run just fine whether I’m here or not, and the same goes for you.”

“Right? It’s running so well, it’s problematic. By the way, please pass on my regards to the Sword Master for me.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I won’t be able to visit him in person.”

The reason I was asking Blood Heaven Butcher for this favor was because I hoped the two would meet once more under this pretext.

Blood Heaven Butcher didn’t reject me, likely understanding my intention. It seemed he, too, had a desire to reconcile with the Sword Master.

“Then I’ll see you off.”

Just as I was about to leave, Blood Heaven Butcher asked.

“Are you really planning to bring the infamous Soma to our side?”

“I won’t bring him to our side, but I’ll make sure he doesn’t become an enemy.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“If Soma teams up with my brother, it’ll become a hundred times more difficult than now.”

“Either way, Soma isn’t someone we should genuinely serve as the First Prince.”

“That’s the problem. The two of them will continue on a path where they exchange tasks and rewards while keeping a proper distance. With their personalities, there won’t be any emotional conflicts or hurt pride. They’ll get along better than Ma Bul or even you.”

That’s exactly how it was. The two of them, despite being rivals, ended up getting along better than Ma Bul or even Blood Heaven Butcher.

“Well, I’ll see you off then.”

“Wait a moment.”

Blood Heaven Butcher placed the books back in a different section, not where they originally belonged. The moment the last book was placed.

Slide.

The bookshelf opened, revealing a hidden room. It was a sophisticated secret passage that would only open when a specific book was placed in a specific position.

What surprised me more than the fact that there was a secret room was that Blood Heaven Butcher opened it so casually in front of me.

He went inside and brought something out.

He tossed what he had brought onto the table in front of me without a word.

“Take it.”

“What’s this?”

When I opened the well-wrapped package, inside was a thin garment.

“It’s the Ghost Guard Garb (귀호의). If you wear it, it’ll hurt a little less when you get hit.”

It wasn’t just a little less. The Ghost Guard Garb was one of the highest quality defensive garments, impervious to swords.

“Are you really giving me such a precious thing?”

“Yes.”

“You wear it.”

“I’m too old for such things. It’s ugly.”

“Then sell it.”

“Sell it?”

“To make money.”

“You think I’ll make money from this?”

As I thought about it, Blood Heaven Butcher had no heirs to inherit his wealth.

“Travel around the Central Plains and enjoy delicacies.”

“Delicacies? My age doesn’t even let me digest the noodles I had for lunch properly.”

I could tell he wasn’t joking. It saddened me. I knew what it felt like—no matter how great one is, getting older is inevitable.

“Don’t want to wear it? If you don’t, then don’t.”

“I wouldn’t say no.”

He reached for the garment again, but I quickly grabbed it and put on the Ghost Guard Garb right there. It was proper etiquette to wear such fine garments as soon as they are given, after all.

“It fits perfectly! It’s so comfortable!”

It was thin and elastic, so it almost felt like I wasn’t wearing anything. With the Divine Silk of the Heavenly Serpent over it and activating the Heavenly Demon’s Martial Art, even if I was struck by a sword or blade, my body wouldn’t be cleaved apart.

Not wanting me to thank him, Blood Heaven Butcher went outside to the yard to start nagging Seong Daeryong.

I quietly left his place after watching the two train for a while.

I wouldn’t repay Blood Heaven Butcher with words.

 

“When does our departure begin?”

For some reason, Ian seemed even more concerned about me than Blood Heaven Butcher.

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Then, I won’t be able to have a farewell party. I was hoping we could all gather and have a drink together after such a long time.”

“Ian! Is that really what’s important right now? I’m going to the Central Plains with the infamous Soma. Isn’t that dangerous? I’ll protect you! Where did my old Ian go?”

“I miss her too, the old Ian, full of tenderness.”

“It’s all because of training. I’ll have to make sure you can’t do this anymore.”

I took Ian’s hand and looked at it. The calluses on her palm told me everything about her rigorous training.

“Lately, when I hold a sword, something feels different.”

She didn’t elaborate, but I understood exactly what she meant.

Her swordsmanship, having reached the eighth stage of the Radiant Sword Art, would constantly tempt and provoke her to fight stronger opponents.

Compared to me and the Majin or other skilled martial artists, she still had some ways to go, but the Radiant Sword Art at the eighth stage made her a force to be reckoned with in the martial world. Finding a worthy opponent would be nearly impossible.

“I’ll tremble with fear as I travel with the terrifying Soma.”

“Didn’t you go to the Heavenly Demon War to get his approval yourself?”

“Who told you that?”

“Investigator Seo already visited.”

“That right-handed man in the martial world sure talks too much.”

Even with my joke, Ian didn’t laugh.

“I used to be the first to hear news about you, young master. Naturally, when you go out like this, I’ll follow you.”

“Are you upset?”

At that moment, her true feelings came out.

“Yes, I’m upset. Really upset.”

With a long sigh, the emotions she had been holding back poured out.

“I’m worried! I want to follow and protect you! I’m not just your guard anymore, but I’ve also been given the title of Yeongdae. Yet, what I still want is to be by your side, protecting you. I want to die by your side, young master. That’s my dream... If I become a stronger martial artist, I could protect you for real, and I’ll endure and train for that day...”

Then, Ian suddenly broke down.

“...I know you’re very busy and tired, so I didn’t want to say this, but I’m sorry. I’ll train hard.”

In the end, the tears she had been holding back fell from her eyes.

“Pack your things.”

At that moment, Ian was startled.

“I’m sorry, I’ve done something wrong. Please don’t kick me out.”

“What are you saying? Pack your things. Come with me tomorrow.”

She was completely stunned.

“Really?”

“Yes, you’re right. ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) If you don’t protect me, who will? Let’s go together. Go and protect me as much as you want.”

“That’s great! I’m really happy!”

For the first time in a long while, Ian jumped up with joy.

“Thank you, young master. I really appreciate it.”

“You’ll suffer once we leave, though. What’s there to be thankful for? And our travel companion is Soma.”

“Even if it’s Soma, the sect leader, I’ll go! I’ll go! I’ll see you later. I have to prepare, you know. There’s a lot to get ready when you're a woman!”

Ian rushed off to the training area as if she were in a hurry.

Watching her, I realized something.

Martial arts training is one thing, but this moment, her excitement, her joy, is the most important thing... right now, this moment is the most important.

Perhaps, deep down, my desire for her to become stronger was fueled by selfishness.

Her hardships would inevitably become mine, and perhaps I was unconsciously pushing her into this training area to calm my own anxieties.

Her life was so vividly unfolding in the present, while I was hiding my own fears. I realized that the true time for mastering my own Heart of Purification would come when I conquer my own anxieties, not based on her progress.

And that’s when I made my decision.

Yes, now is the right time.

When we return from this journey, she will be a different person.

The next morning, I left with Ian to head for Song of the Villain.

By the time we arrived, Soma had already finished his preparations to depart.

“I’m only taking one friend with me to quietly accompany me.”

The faceless assassin Soma introduced wore a mask with a striking blue stripe across it.

“This is Cheongmyeon.”

He gave me a respectful bow. I knew him well as Soma’s right-hand man.

His martial skills were excellent, and his loyalty was even more impressive. When I went to find the Grand Regression Art, he had been Soma’s right-hand man, even then.

And he was a tragic figure—unable to become the next Soma because his master lived far too long.

I introduced Ian to them as well.

“This is my guard.”

Ian politely greeted Soma.

“Ian. It’s an honor to meet you.”

I added a quick remark.

“She is also my heart.”

Ian’s face flushed slightly, but given the situation, she lowered her head and remained silent.

Soma smiled at my words.

“You’re giving me your right-hand man, and now your heart too. How transparent.”

“I’m trying to make it so that by showing all my weaknesses, you can’t tell which is the real one.”

“Shall we depart then?”

“Let’s go.”

Soma and I climbed into the carriage, while Ian and Cheongmyeon sat on the driver’s seat. The two exchanged a brief nod. Though it was their first time meeting, they shared a mutual understanding of their duty to escort their master.

As the carriage set off, Soma couldn’t hide his excitement.

“I’m in a good mood.”

“I’m happy too. It’s been so long since I’ve been to the Central Plains.”

It was the truth. For a while, I had been trapped in the sect, only moving between the Yellow Spring Division, training grounds, the Heavenly Demon War, and the Fengliu Tavern.

At least, I could relax in a new place when things became too stifling, thanks to my Time-space Transfer Technique. Otherwise, I would’ve felt truly suffocated. So I could imagine how unbearable it had been for Soma, trapped for years.

“You brought the mask with you.”

The white mask Soma had given me hung from my waist.

“Soma gave it to me, so of course, I have to bring it.”

“I’ll make you a better one, something where even your eyes will be hidden outside.”

It was his way of saying he would make me a mask that would conceal my eyes like his own.

“No, it’s fine. I prefer this one.”

“You like it?”

“It was given to me by Soma himself. That’s enough.”

“I don’t trust people easily. I tend to suspect those who speak sweetly.”

“You should suspect me. Anyone with ‘infamous’ in their title must have some hidden agenda, right?”

“What’s your agenda, Eongja?”

I smiled.

“You once said it was more difficult to show various expressions, didn’t you? I prefer it this way. It lets me hide my true feelings behind an ambiguous face.”

He couldn’t press me further. I didn’t push him either about the promise to remove my mask.

“Why don’t you ask where we’re going?”

“Probably some insignificant place.”

My joke made Soma laugh loudly.

In the meantime, the carriage left the sect and began picking up speed toward the Central Plains.