It’s because neither of them is truly evil.

If either the Spirit Lord or Im Hyang had been villains, their married life wouldn’t have become hell for so long. Someone would have left or killed the other by now.

They’re both ordinary people. They bickered and quarreled, grew attached despite themselves, truly hated each other, yet couldn’t help but stay together — a relationship and life they absolutely don’t want to repeat.

“Come inside. Food is ready. Start by having a bite.”

Ian and I went inside, with Seo Jin following us.

“I’ll guide you.”

I want to connect Seo Jin—who I knew in my past life—with Ian in this life.

Walking together, I sent Ian a message.

―Ian, Seo Jin here is a candidate for Second Captain of the Spirit Guard.

―Ah!

Her eyes widened, surprised by the unexpected news.

―Imagine having a captain in your Spirit Guard who can use Gui Techniques.

―That’d be awesome. Our unit’s name even contains the character for ghost!

―Whether to take this woman as your subordinate is up to you.

Ian trusted me absolutely and didn’t ask why it was Seo Jin.

Instead, she said to Seo Jin,

“Congratulations on your brother’s wedding.”

“Thank you. I thought he’d never marry, but he is.”

Though meeting for the first time, Seo Jin responded cheerfully.

“Why? He’s handsome and has a good personality.”

“He’s just a bookworm.”

Seo Jin liked Ian. I knew why.

Past Seo Jin loved pretty women, saying they lifted her mood. She liked beauties, flowers, fine clothes—tastes unsuited to a ronin’s rough life, reflecting her sheltered upbringing.

“I’ve only heard of Gui Techniques; never experienced them.”

“They’re nothing special.”

Seo Jin stopped and raised her hand. Black smoke rose from her palm, swiftly forming a snake.

Though a small smoke snake, it looked so realistic it seemed about to become a jet-black serpent.

Whish!

The snake suddenly lunged at Ian but dissipated into smoke before touching her.

“That was so cool!”

“You’re not surprised?”

“I sensed no hostility.”

A flicker of amazement crossed Seo Jin’s eyes. Normally anyone would be startled by a sudden snake attack, but Ian remained unshaken.

“Show me again next time.”

“Next time, it’ll be bigger and scarier.”

I thought their personalities would get along well: both straightforward, considerate women.

If both Cheongmyeon and Seo Jin could join the Spirit Guard?

Cheongmyeon would hold weight as First Captain, Seo Jin would brighten the atmosphere as Second Captain. A promising picture.

But it wouldn’t be easy. One is a demon hunter candidate, the other is a blood relative of the Gui Sect master.

Several guests were already in the main hall, with more arriving. There were guests of the Spirit Lord and Im Hyang.

When all invited guests arrived, the Spirit Lord and Im Hyang entered the hall.

Together, we toasted to their upcoming wedding.

Most guests were heirs of prominent families and well-mannered.

But one was an exception. Ju Myung of Seo Jongpa, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) a childhood friend of Im Hyang, arrived. His expression was dark, and he strongly opposed the marriage.

Was it the early alcohol, or a secret affection for Im Hyang?

In front of the Spirit Lord, Ju Myung openly told Im Hyang,

“To be honest, as a longtime friend, I cannot congratulate this marriage.”

“Why not?”

“A martial family should marry within martial families to avoid trouble.”

Naturally, the Spirit Lord took offense. Moreover, how could someone say that with him right there, blatantly disrespecting him?

As Ju Myung was Im Hyang’s guest, the Spirit Lord spoke kindly.

“The Gui Sect is a respected martial sect.”

“No one here would consider Gui Sect a martial sect.”

“What are you saying? The Gui Sect has contributed much to the martial world.”

“Seo So-hyup, do you think Gui Techniques are legitimate martial arts?”

The Spirit Lord couldn’t answer immediately. No one had ever questioned him like that.

“Martial arts and sorcery are fundamentally different.”

As Ju Myung crossed the line, a sharp voice echoed through the hall.

“Then shall we see how well you counter sorcery with martial arts?”

Seo Jin stepped forward, raising one brow—a familiar angry expression I recalled from my ronin days.

She stretched out her hand, black heat shimmering around Ju Myung.

“Hah!”

Startled, Ju Myung looked around and drew his sword.

“What’s this? What is this?”

He began swinging his sword at empty air, clearly seeing an illusion.

And I saw what he saw—a black shadow with only eyes and mouth attacking him. It was so vivid and terrifying, my heart chilled even knowing it was a hallucination.

I also saw the countermeasure—a combination of Blood Stabilizing Water and Divine Eye Technique.

As Ju Myung swung wildly, others risked injury.

Seo Jin withdrew her technique; Ju Myung soon realized he had fallen into Gui Sorcery. Though aware, he had unconsciously swung his sword. That’s the power of Gui Techniques.

He glared at Seo Jin.

“How dare you insult me with such sorcery… I will never forgive you…”

Smack!

Ju Myung’s cheek was slapped hard by Im Hyang.

“Do you want to die? Not sober yet? How dare you say you won’t forgive someone?”

“You!”

“Are you really a friend? If so, you shouldn’t do this. You’re my only friend, yet you make me miserable like this?”

Ju Myung couldn’t say a word. The “only friend” phrase struck him like a dagger.

He sighed deeply.

“Sorry.”

His fiery anger had already passed.

“Sorry for hitting you too.”

“It’s okay. You’ve hit me many times when we were kids.”

Ju Myung apologized to the Spirit Lord and Seo Jin.

“Sorry for insulting your family. That was rude.”

But he ended with,

“Still, I hate this marriage! I oppose it!”

And he left immediately.

I looked at the Spirit Lord.

Spirit Lord, normally you’d be the one shouting,

“I hate this marriage! Don’t congratulate it! Am I the only one opposing it?”

Though the Spirit Lord tried to scold Seo Jin for stepping out of line, Im Hyang stopped him.

“She’s been friends with him since childhood and must have been upset about my marriage.”

“You care for Im Sojeo that much, don’t you?”

“If you cared, you wouldn’t act like that. He was just drunk and acting out. Forget it.”

Watching the Spirit Lord’s gaze deepen toward her, I sighed inwardly.

“He’s falling deeper in love.”

Seeing Im Hyang today, she seemed a good woman. If the Spirit Lord truly knew and understood her, I thought they could be well matched.

During the banquet, the Spirit Lord stepped out for some air.

Though he didn’t show it to Im Hyang, he felt increasingly down.

It was because of Ju Myung. When he voiced his complaints, the Spirit Lord kept regretting not having stepped forward.

Was Im Hyang thinking he was a coward?

If he’d acted, he might have won. Should have shown his skills properly. No, his father always warned against Gui Sect’s involvement in martial disputes. Martial disputes? Just friends’ quarrels. He should have acted!

His feelings wavered; he hated regretting later more than not acting at all.

Lost in thought, he arrived at his study.

Looking around from the window, he felt most at ease there. Whenever scolded or troubled by his father, he always came here. It was his only refuge.

The Spirit Lord knew:

He wasn’t happy defeating Ju Myung and laughing arrogantly, but happiest reading, researching, and quietly existing.

‘I should show this place to Im Sojeo.’

He wanted to boast how much he read. Today, that feeling was stronger than usual.

Then someone spoke.

“You have a lot of books.”

The Spirit Lord turned, startled.

Behind him stood I.

“I came out to get some air but ended up here.”

“Seems so.”

“You’re the first martial artist I’ve seen with so many books.”

“I loved reading since I was young.”

“Is that so? I know someone around here who loves books too.”

“Really? Introduce me sometime.”

“Sure.”

I recalled the Spirit Lord’s shocked face when he learned the man was Blood Heaven Butcher. I laughed remembering the displeased look Blood Heaven Butcher gave the Spirit Lord.

Together, we walked naturally toward the main hall.

“Lord Seo and Im Sojeo really suit each other more I see them.”

“If that’s comfort after earlier trouble, that’s fine. I’ve forgotten it all.”

“To me, it looked like jealousy. But I understand the young lady. If a long-time friend gets married, I’d want to crash the party too.”

I eased the Spirit Lord’s mood. Whether or not I stopped his marriage, I needed to be close enough.

And the quickest way to get close is to say what the other wants to hear.

“Someday she’ll wake up startled, drink cold water, and say, ‘Why did I do such a stupid thing?’”

The Spirit Lord laughed. Since his mood soured, that was the best way to cheer him.

“Well done holding it in. If not, you’d be Lord Seo waking up like that.”

The Spirit Lord stopped and looked at me, suddenly asking,

“Have we met before?”

“First time meeting.”

“But you don’t seem a stranger.”

“Sometimes you meet people for the first time but feel as if you’ve known them forever. Like a friend. You trust them. Want to care for them.”

“Not quite.”

“Maybe I liked Lord Seo from the start. Seeing you with books made me respect you even more.”

I kept flattering him, easing his wariness. Even the hardened Blood Heaven Butcher and the ruthless Grim Demon couldn’t out-flatter me; befriending this young Spirit Lord was easy.

The key to flattery is to know when to stop sharply and give them time to savor it.

“Well then, I’ll go in first.”

I left him and entered the main hall.

After the banquet, I asked Ian,

“How was Seo Jin?”

She had spent the banquet chatting with Seo Jin.

“She’s impressive. A great candidate for captain.”

“My recommendation never fails.”

“But there’s one problem.”

“Whether she will join the sect?”

“Yes.”

“Gui Sect was originally part of the main sect’s righteous faction. Some ancestors served the main sect. If persuaded well, it won’t be a problem.”

“You know the Gui Sect well?”

“I studied before coming.”

I had heard it all from Seo Jin in my past life. During her ronin days, she didn’t want to be tied to any faction. She belonged nowhere, so she could go anywhere.

“We’ll have to return to the main sect soon, so we can’t bring her now. Just make sure she can find us later.”

When she’s fed up, she’ll leave her house and seek Ian, not a ronin life.

“You know? To contact us, leave your name at the West Lake inns scattered across the Central Plains.”

“I’ll make sure to tell her when we part.”

Separate from Ian, I planned to keep an eye on Seo Jin’s path. So that her fate’s main thread might connect to Ian.

“By the way, young master, how’s the plan to stop the marriage?”

“Operation changed.”

That was the decision I made after seeing the Spirit Lord and Im Hyang at the banquet.

The chief of the Iron Defense of the main sect always said, small differences make masterpieces.

I believe that applies to relationships too. Small differences change outcomes. Even if you can’t change a person, you can change a relationship.

One word can move someone to loyalty for life; one word can cause offense and break bonds; one word can create lifelong hatred. That’s us.

So my new plan is this:

“Don’t stop the Spirit Lord’s marriage, but make sure the two can live happily.”

You can’t stop it, Spirit Lord. The marriage must happen. But I’ll open a different door for you instead of hell’s gate.