“Why have you come here, sojŏ?”
Seo Daeryong’s voice trembled with the question. He never imagined he would see her here.

“I was invited too.”

“What do you mean?”

This banquet was only for those connected to the Soryongjeon.

Then the woman revealed a surprising fact.

“I made it to the quarterfinals of the Soryongjeon held three years ago.”

Seo Daeryong and the junior disciples around him were all taken aback.

Since Soryongjeon is held every three years, she was a quarterfinalist from the previous tournament. It was customary to invite past finalists affiliated with the Martial Alliance to the celebration banquet.

“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am So Ok, third-generation squad leader of the White Dragon Group”

“Ah, you are a Martial Alliance warrior.”

Moreover, a squad leader of the White Dragon Group. When she shyly came to cheer before and wore no Martial Alliance uniform, no one imagined she was affiliated with the Alliance.

“I didn’t know.”

“Of course not. I hadn’t told you.”

“Why did you cheer for me?”

Their gazes met in midair. Seo Daeryong’s excitement was palpable; it felt like meeting a first love again.

So Ok, in contrast, was calm.

“Seeing you reminded me of my old self during the Soryongjeon. I came from the countryside, knowing nothing. I didn’t know anyone, and no one knew me. I even lacked money for lodging at the inn, so I camped in the mountains and then came down to compete.”

She spoke without shame, which made Seo Daeryong like her even more. She gave off a pleasant scent.

“I watched all your matches. Your swordsmanship was truly excellent. Especially in the final match—you were magnificent. My heart was pounding so much I wanted to leap onto the fighting stage.”

Others might interpret this as being inspired to compete again, but Seo Daeryong could have misunderstood it as her wanting to come up because she liked him.

“Beating Jin Sojŏ… It was truly the best martial arts match in Soryongjeon history.”

Seo Daeryong felt as if he could fly. Though he had received many compliments after winning, this moment, receiving praise from her, was the best. A smile involuntarily spread across his face.

“Now you will join the Exorcist Squad, right?”

The Exorcist Squad was the Martial Alliance’s elite team of young masters. Traditionally, winners of Soryongjeon entered the Exorcist Squad.

“You could also apply to the White Dragon Group you belong to.”

So Ok’s face flushed slightly.

“Thanks for the offer, but please don’t. Starting in the Exorcist Squad is the royal road to success in the Martial Alliance.”

“Thanks to your support, I won. So I want to treat you to a meal.”

It was a truly courageous offer.

Having been rejected more than accepted by women, Seo Daeryong was secretly nervous. Fortunately, So Ok accepted it readily.

“It would be an honor. After all, a Soryongjeon winner is «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» buying the meal.”

Seo Daeryong was overjoyed.

Geommugeuk and Jin Haryeong watched the scene outside the window.

Geommugeuk knew.

She had been recruited by the Cheonmyeonghoe three years ago at the Soryongjeon. In other words, the Cheonmyeonghoe had been active in the martial world even then.

‘These people have much deeper roots in the Martial Alliance than I thought.’

The revelation of the woman’s identity unveiled unexpected facts.

I asked Jin Haryeong beside me.

“Do you know that woman?”

“Squad leader So? We greet each other.”

“What kind of person is she?”

“Easygoing, good-natured, popular. But it’s surprising. I didn’t expect her to cheer for your young master like that. Why? Worried your young master might be bewitched by a fox and give away his prize money?”

“Of course I worry. He is just a servant.”

At that moment, Jin Haryeong blurted out her true feelings.

“Can that servant just quit?”

After saying it, she realized her mistake. They say you shouldn’t say what you hesitate to say, and even more so not say what you shouldn’t. But she went ahead and said what she wanted.

“Can’t he just live as a normal warrior? He’s learned martial arts and could take the entrance exam. I’ll help if needed.”

When Geommugeuk didn’t say anything, Jin Haryeong hurriedly added,

“Don’t misunderstand! I’m not embarrassed he’s a servant. I just meant there’s a new life out there for him.”

Her face flushed slightly, worried she might have hurt Geommugeuk’s pride.

Finally, Geommugeuk spoke.

“That’s something I often say to someone. To live a new life.”

“To whom?”

“There is. A stubborn person who hates change.”

“Like you?”

Geommugeuk smiled and looked back at Seo Daeryong. He was still popular, surrounded by people, but his gaze kept drifting to one place.

The next day Seo Daeryong went to meet So Ok.

He got up early, took a bath, combed his hair, changed clothes several times, and finally said,

“It’s not that I like her, but I want to meet the person who cheered for me. A pure heart.”

“If you’re pure twice, your mouth will split. Stop laughing so much.”

Seo Daeryong liked her too much, which worried me. If he learned the truth, it would break his heart.

Seo Daeryong left boldly as if going to a contest, but when he returned, he looked somehow deflated.

“Why? Didn’t go well?”

“No. I had a good time. She likes tea better than alcohol and enjoys walking. So we ate, drank tea, and walked.”

“Then why that expression?”

After a pause, Seo Daeryong sighed.

“While sitting comfortably, a thought suddenly came to me: This isn’t right. My life can’t be going this well. It felt like someone whispered in my ear: When good things happen, prepare for bad.”

His dormant instincts awoke. Once fate starts moving, it shakes a person awake like this.

“Did you tell her?”

“No. I smiled and parted without showing anything.”

“Detective Seo, I told you. The path you chose is the one where you bind your injured arm and step onto the fighting stage.”

“Where your whole body bleeds, you limp, and lose sight in one eye but still walk.”

“Yes. It’s also a path where you must suspect even those you meet. So it’s hard to make friends or truly love someone.”

Seo Daeryong, lost in thought, spoke words he never wanted to say.

“In that sense, I must say this woman is suspicious. She seems to have approached me intentionally. Could she be from Cheonmyeonghoe?”

I said nothing. He was startled by my gaze.

“Is it true?”

“……”

“Really?”

Seo Daeryong’s voice trembled. He sensed something suspicious but still hoped it was not true.

“It’s true. She is from Cheonmyeonghoe.”

“!”

Seo Daeryong’s eyes widened. I expected him to react as if the sky had fallen, but surprisingly, he was calm.

“As I suspected. No wonder. Why would someone like me… It was strange from the start. So many handsome junior disciples, yet she came to cheer me. I wondered how much she pitied me inside.”

“Rather than such self-deprecation, why don’t we be glad and congratulate you for uncovering her identity?”

“How did you know, Chief?”

“At the final match.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“Afraid it would become obvious if we acted awkwardly.”

“Then why tell me now? We could have just ignored it.”

“Because something more important has come up.”

“What is it?”

“Your survival instinct has fully awakened.”

Seo Daeryong was surprised.

“Everyone has a survival instinct. But a warrior’s is different. The higher the level, the different it gets. The body knows first. No matter how much the opponent smiles and speaks kindly, the body rejects it. Goosebumps rise, heart races. Or conversely, your mood may sink like today.”

“So my survival instinct was activated?”

“Yes. Remember well how it acted and how you felt.”

Seo Daeryong was touched. I valued his survival instinct more than capturing the Cheonmyeonghoe leader.

“Thank you, Chief.”

“Now you must act well.”

“You worried for nothing. I’m better at acting than you think. That sly fellow.”

“We’ll see.”

“What do you plan to do next?”

“You must. Guide her to lead you to Cheonmyeonghoe. As quickly as possible.”

Time was short. If she tried to grow close slowly, it might take months or years. But we needed a quick resolution.

After pondering, Seo Daeryong had an idea.

“Do you remember what she said at the banquet? That she was in the same situation as me when she came to Soryongjeon three years ago. I think that’s true. I’ll dig into that.”

“Using commonality? Because she experienced the same feelings?”

“Yes.”

“One more thing. I must accompany you when introducing the backers.”

Seo Daeryong nodded.

“Leave it to me.”

Two days later, Seo Daeryong and So Ok stood atop a hill overlooking the Martial Alliance.

“The view here is nice.”

“I come here when I feel stifled.”

“It’s a wonderful place.”

Seo Daeryong was inwardly surprised by the vastness of the Martial Alliance. He thought nothing was bigger than Cheonma Shin Sect, but the Martial Alliance was comparable in scale.

“Honestly, I was moved by what Squad Leader So said that day. How she had no money and slept in the mountains. I’m in a similar situation. I will surely succeed in the Martial Alliance.”

“It won’t be easy.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s hard. I hesitate to say this to someone not yet officially admitted, but for Seo Sojin’s sake—without powerful backing in the Martial Alliance, you can’t succeed. You may become a squad leader but not a grand master. Maybe with insane effort, you can be a grand master, but never a sect leader. The limits are clear.”

Her acting was as good as Seo Daeryong’s. If he didn’t know the truth, he would think she truly cared.

“Seo Sojin will probably be even more disappointed. Because he’s a winner. He might start as a squad leader and end as a lifelong squad leader. Overcome by skill? How? In these peaceful times, it’s impossible. Success stories of bare-handed fights are only in storybooks.”

Seo Daeryong asked seriously,

“Then what should I do?”

Now Seo Daeryong showed his feelings openly, without awkwardness.

“Make connections. Throw away pride and be loyal to those who support you. That’s what I did.”

“Please let me hold the line Seo Daeju caught. I have no pride as a warrior. Please help.”

She fell silent for a moment. Seo Daeryong urged her.

“Please, I beg you.”

“Alright, meeting Seo Sojin was fate. I’ll talk to them.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t get your hopes up. The elders might say no.”

“Oh, and one more request.”

“What is it?”

“Please introduce my servant too.”

“Your servant?”

“If the Martial Alliance is that kind of place, I must strengthen myself. I plan to have my servant join the Alliance and become my right hand. In a Martial Alliance where no one can be trusted, you need someone reliable. His loyalty is trustworthy.”

Seo Daeryong pushed like a stubborn country bumpkin.

“I don’t know if that’s possible.”

He bowed his head earnestly.

“Please, I beg you.”

Three days later, So Ok contacted us again.

She brought Seo Daeryong and me to a manor far from the Martial Alliance.

There weren’t many people, but the masked guards surrounding the place were no ordinary fighters. The person she intended to introduce was no ordinary person.

“Sir, this is Ok.”

“Come in.”

We followed So Ok into the room.

A curtain hung in the middle, concealing the other party’s face.

I used my mind’s eye. I focused and pierced the curtain to see who was there. When I confirmed who it was, I was shocked. He was someone I knew.

Jinryongjang leader Jo Ibaek.

Josin’s father.

Either Jo Ibaek recruited Josin, or the Cheonmyeonghoe recruited both separately. If so, they might not know they were recruited.

Either way, it was surprising.

Jo Ibaek whispered from behind the curtain.

“You want to succeed in the Martial Alliance?”

His aura was completely different from the image beside the Martial Alliance leader. This was his true self, striving to ally with the Martial Alliance leader. This was his real form.

Seo Daeryong bowed respectfully and said,

“Yes! I want to succeed.”

I understood.

After the Fire Weapon swept through, the Shinryong family became a pillar of the righteous martial world. From then on, this conspiracy was unfolding.

So is Jo Ibaek the Cheonmyeonghoe leader? Or is the leader someone else?

One thing was certain: the Cheonmyeonghoe, which was revealing its core, was a much bigger monster than I thought.

Jo Ibaek added softly,

“If I help, you will surely succeed. Then what will you do for me?”