Gazing at my reflection in the mirror, I slowly began to undress.

Leaving only my underwear, I took everything off. A smooth, lean body, honed and sculpted by martial arts training, without a single ounce of excess flesh.

I carefully unraveled the exquisite Celestial Silkworm Threads (극품천잠사) that I had wrapped around the handle of my Black Demon Sword, and meticulously wound them around the vital points on my chest, neck, and dantian. Then, over that, I donned the noble armor gifted to me by the Blood Heaven Butcher.

Seodaeryong sat silently on the edge of the bed, watching me prepare for the final battle.

Not wanting to lose the chance to joke at a time like this, I threw a tease his way.

“I’m going to fight alongside you, aren’t I?”

“I won’t,” he replied. “The greatest adventure of my life is already behind me. Winning the Small Dragon Tournament! I’ll brag about it for the rest of my days like a treasured broth. There’s no more danger left for me.”

I put on my light, comfortable martial uniform and said to him,

“When your level rises further, you’ll change your mind! You’ll throw yourself into the midst of life-or-death danger. You’ll feel the thrill, and seek even greater risks.”

“Don’t make weird predictions like that!”

Seodaeryong stuck his head out the window and looked up at the sky.

“Pretend you didn’t hear that! No, really. My adventures are over. I have stories to tell my grandchildren on my lap. That’s enough.”

His earnest reactions made it impossible not to tease him.

“Be careful out there.”

“The secret organizations are only dangerous when they’re secret. Once exposed, they’re usually more pathetic than anything. Don’t worry.”

“No matter what you say, I’m not going.”

“Doesn’t work on me.”

I know. I know how much Seodaeryong worries about me right now. How much he wants to fight by my side. That burning fire in his eyes says it all. To wait. Until I grow stronger.

The Celestial Destiny Sect Leader and Jo Ibaek sat face to face in the estate’s pavilion.

“How have you been?”

“Thanks to you, well.”

Jo Ibaek had met the Sect Leader several times. The Sect Leader did not behave like a man wrapped in secrecy. He would come by when necessary and summoned Jo like this when he wished to meet.

His martial skill far exceeded Jo’s. But aside from that, the man felt surprisingly “ordinary.”

Ordinary was hardly a fitting word for the leader of a shadowy faction, yet that was the impression he gave.

His face and dress were so common that you might expect to see him at an inn having a meal beside you. His mannerisms and speech were ordinary as [N O V E L I G H T] well.

It was precisely because he was ordinary that his extraordinariness was felt. It was as if his ordinariness was what let him hide so effectively as a shadowy figure.

“Why did you want to meet today?”

“There’s a problem.”

“Tell me.”

“The Martial Alliance noticed that my son joined the faction.”

Jo Ibaek stared at the Sect Leader and asked,

“When did your son join?”

Though it was a situation to be angry about, Jo asked calmly.

“Your son joined as well?”

The Sect Leader reacted that he did not know.

“I wasn’t aware.”

It was so natural, as if he truly didn’t know, but Jo did not believe him.

After all, having won over the True Dragon Estate Leader himself, not knowing his heir son was recruited? If such a sloppy organization existed, leaving it quickly would be wise.

Jo didn’t press the obvious denial. He wasn’t here to fight emotionally with the Sect Leader today. This day was the most dangerous and important balancing act of his life.

“My son is now locked in the brain prison. That’s why I wanted to meet the Sect Leader and ask for a solution.”

“You can’t just imprison someone because they’re connected to the faction.”

“They framed him with charges of attempting to kidnap the Alliance Leader’s granddaughter, falling into their trap.”

“Those shameless Martial Alliance bastards...”

The Sect Leader clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“How can there be a solution?”

“Jo Estate Leader, you have good relations with the Martial Alliance Leader, right?”

“The Alliance Leader cherishes his granddaughter dearly. But this won’t be solved by friendship alone.”

“I understand. I’ll think about what to do.”

“Thank you.”

Just then, the door opened far away.

If Jo Ibaek were asked to name the most nerve-wracking moment in his life, it would be now.

He had naturally expected the Martial Alliance Leader, but the person who entered was a young man.

“The Leader didn’t come?”

Since the Leader didn’t come, he hadn’t brought his son either.

“Why?”

Even though he so desired the Sect Leader?

“What game are they playing?”

Of course, Jo was playing a game of his own. Preparing for the Leader to refuse releasing his son or even imprisoning him after dealing with the Sect Leader. He had secretly prepared a master to truly kidnap Jin Haryeong.

But he did not anticipate this. Neither the Leader nor the son came.

How to react?

Jo’s gaze turned to the young man walking toward them.

Given the noble status, the Leader might not come personally but send strong warriors. But only this one young warrior?

“Could this youth be skilled enough to face the Sect Leader?”

No way. He must be here to deliver the Leader’s message.

Geom Muguk walked over without anyone stopping him. Neither the Sect Leader nor Jo gave any orders.

When Geom Muguk joined the table where they sat, the Sect Leader asked Jo,

“Who is this young man?”

The Sect Leader confidently and calmly assumed Geom Muguk was Jo’s subordinate.

Jo pretended not to know and asked,

“Didn’t the Sect Leader bring him?”

Geom Muguk replied calmly,

“I was sent by the Martial Alliance Leader.”

The Sect Leader flinched in surprise.

The atmosphere changed. Geom Muguk felt those hidden nearby scurrying to reposition.

“A precious guest has arrived, so I will leave you now. Please discuss.”

As the Sect Leader rose to leave naturally, suddenly—

“Sit, Sect Leader.”

“!”

The Sect Leader stared at Geom Muguk, then sat back down.

“You came knowing I would be here.”

His gaze shifted toward Jo Ibaek, who shook his head slightly, feigning ignorance.

The Sect Leader asked,

“Why did the Leader send you?”

“Jo Estate Leader proposed a trade: son for Sect Leader.”

Jo was caught off guard by the bluntness, but the Sect Leader didn’t get angry at Jo.

Jo strongly denied it.

“Don’t believe it. The Leader is trying to sow discord between us.”

Jo had to stubbornly deny until he understood why the Leader sent this young man instead.

It was not an easy choice with Geom Muguk present.

“Don’t blame Jo Estate Leader too much. It must have been a difficult decision, being his child.”

“I understand.”

The Sect Leader nodded.

Jo denied until the end.

“Don’t be fooled. Don’t play into their schemes.”

Jo couldn’t help but misunderstand. The Martial Alliance Leader was trying to use the Sect Leader to eliminate him. That made Jo furious.

“You’re really coming at me like this?”

Jo sent a secret message to his hidden subordinates.

— Proceed with Jin Haryeong now. Immediately!

— Yes.

He judged that to survive, he must capture Jin Haryeong as soon as possible.

But he didn’t know the Martial Alliance Leader had not come because he took Geom Muguk’s advice to protect Jin Haryeong.

Geom Muguk asked the Sect Leader,

“I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

“I prefer to start with good news.”

“I came alone.”

“Alone?”

The Sect Leader was surprised. He had expected the Martial Alliance’s masters to be camped outside.

“So what’s the bad news?”

“I came alone.”

When Geom Muguk repeated this, the Sect Leader made a puzzled expression.

“Why is that bad news? Didn’t you just say it was good news?”

“It’s also bad news. Because no one can stop me.”

Though speaking with overconfidence bordering on madness, the Sect Leader seemed pleased.

“Finding passionate young warriors like you these days is rare. Isn’t that right, Jo Estate Leader?”

“Right. Both newcomers and seasoned veterans are busy protecting themselves.”

Jo agreed but felt suspicion.

“Is he really skilled enough to kill the Sect Leader? That’s why he talks like that?”

Should I side with the Martial Alliance now? Having helped deliver the Sect Leader, maybe I can fix things afterward.

Reading this conflict, Geom Muguk said to Jo,

“Jo Estate Leader, it’s time to decide which side you’re on.”

Jo was truly conflicted. But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t imagine this young man killing the Sect Leader. If the Martial Alliance Leader were here, maybe. But now the Sect Leader was near.

“What are you saying? I have never betrayed the Sect Leader even for a moment.”

“Can I take that as your official stance?”

The implication was that if he didn’t, he could be executed.

Jo struggled with the decision. He did not anticipate the Martial Alliance Leader’s behavior, so it was not easy.

Then the Sect Leader smiled and said,

“I will resolve Jo Estate Leader’s dilemma.”

As soon as he finished speaking, figures appeared from all directions.

Even seeing just the first person was enough to tip Jo’s mind.

The man with a short straight sword at his waist was the Slayer Sword Gu Ryeong (참마도 구령), once called one of the three greatest masters of Taoist law in the righteous faction.

Sect Leader and Slayer Sword.

That alone was enough to sway him, but others appeared as well.

A monk wielding a large iron staff appeared, wearing robes. He was Paesung Yoraeri (패승 요라이), once a top master of Tibet.

And finally, a distinctive hunchbacked old man appeared.

The worn green pouch hanging from his waist identified him. He was the Great Poison Elder Gokchu (대독노 곡추), famed for his mastery of poison so lethal that nothing grew where he walked — feared by all who knew him.

But the true shift in atmosphere wasn’t from these three masters.

Masked figures appeared from all directions. Like ants swarming out of their nest, countless masked people filled the area.

They filled the yard, on top of walls, on roofs — numbering at least a hundred. They weren’t just filling space; their fierce, sharp eyes behind the masks were intimidating.

Jo Ibaek realized for the first time the incredible masters the Sect Leader traveled with.

“Truly impressive. There’s no way anyone can capture the Sect Leader now.”

Further hesitation was pointless.

At Jo’s signal, four people appeared.

Each wore a martial uniform embroidered with the plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo patterns — the Four Gentlemen (사군자), Jo’s trusted subordinates.

“We’ll handle that brat.”

To be forgiven this time, one must be decisive. Their man had to eliminate the intruder.

Jo frankly said to the Sect Leader,

“Man to man, let’s forget past grievances. This all started because you dragged my son in without telling me. Let’s just forget it.”

“Agreed. They say the ground hardens after the rain.”

The two smiled at each other.

Then Geom Muguk said,

“After killing me, I will kill you. Traitors don’t survive.”

“Kid! Stop sowing discord.”

Once Jo made up his mind, he didn’t look back.

“You will never leave this place alive. Not even your Leader will survive.”

“Honestly, I was worried you might side with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve decided to kill me, but if you sided with me, wouldn’t you feel guilty when you do it?”

“You’re still saying that now? Truly mad.”

Jo ordered the Four Gentlemen,

“Kill him.”

The Four stepped onto the clearing.

Geom Muguk walked calmly to face them.

Surrounded by over a hundred masked masters without a single gap, plus the Slayer Sword, Paesung, Great Poison Elder, Jo Estate Leader, and Sect Leader watching — this was the scene.

Geom Muguk calmly stared at the massive figure of the Sect Leader and said,

“For impersonating Geukak Soma to rob the martial world’s lives and wealth, and plotting to overthrow the Martial Alliance through marriage with the Leader’s granddaughter, I hereby order the immediate execution of everyone here except the Sect Leader and Jo Estate Leader.”

A moment of silence.

Then someone burst out laughing, sparking widespread ridicule. No one here was tense or afraid. Yes, he was a master. He must be confident in his skill to say that.

But these people had the power to invade the Martial Alliance at any moment. They merely enjoyed the madness of a reckless rookie.

The murmurs and laughter grew louder, but then, as if ordering silence—

Wuuuuoooooo!

From the depths, a deep resonance sounded as the Black Demon Sword itself began to wail.