Gowol was working in the room.

He was budgeting how and where to use the funds recently obtained related to Sinseonchae. Calculating, organizing, planning. No matter how much work he did, it never ended.

At that moment, someone who always made this repeated hardship a little easier came rushing in.

“Igongja and Gwonma are returning to the sect.”

At Pungcheongyoju’s words, the brush in Gowol’s hand paused briefly, then started moving again.

“When?”

“It looks like they’re leaving right now.”

Seeing Gowol still immersed in work, Pungcheongyoju asked:

“Aren’t you sad that Igongja is leaving?”

“Sad, yes. But he’s a busy man; when it’s time, he must go.”

“I’m going with him.”

Gowol remained focused on his work.

“I’m serious! Not joking!”

“When the sect leader goes, I’ll go with him too.”

It was a petty tantrum because he was only working, but Gowol’s reaction was unexpected. He really meant to go together.

“Really?”

“Yes. When the sect leader goes, I’ll go. I won’t do it alone.”

A smile appeared on Pungcheongyoju’s lips.

“Even if it’s an empty compliment, it feels good. Enough, where would we go? Finish your work first.”

“I’m telling you to come.”

“It’s fine. I’ve already been there and back.”

At Gowol’s words, Pungcheongyoju, who had even flown to Cheonma Shingyo and back, said.

“And if you go now, it’ll be hectic.”

“Why?”

“Igongja plans to kill the Sadomeng’s second-in-command.”

Gowol flinched in surprise. It was the most astonishing news Pungcheongyoju brought into the room.

“Yaryulhan?”

“Yes, that guy!”

Pungcheongyoju knew about Yaryulhan. They had even met before.

“No matter how powerful Igongja is, that guy won’t be easy.”

Gowol had never met him directly, but from rumors alone he knew he was a formidable opponent. But that wasn’t the problem.

“The sect leader will never permit it anyway.”

Pungcheongyoju recalled what Geonmuguk had said earlier—about his attitude toward martial demon, about how he deals with evil.

“If Igongja becomes Cheonma… a lot will truly change.”

Gowol paused his brushwork and said,

“Hasn’t a lot already changed?”

And they themselves stood at the center of that change.

At that moment, Geonmuguk entered.

“It seems I already told everyone that the sect leader is leaving. Looks like we should set off now.”

“Travel safely.”

“You’re leaving me behind to suffer again.”

“There’s not much left now. I’ll finish well and return.”

“What about the funds?”

“I think we can finish it with the money collected from Sinseonchae.”

“That’s good. Let’s keep in touch through letters.”

“Yes. Please take care, Gongja. Also, feel free to use the information network in the completed regions anytime.”

Just hearing that made Geonmuguk feel reassured. When Tongcheongak’s and Gowol’s intelligence networks combined, the fastest and most informed person in the martial world would be Geonmuguk himself.

“Have you thought of a name for this intelligence organization?”

“Please decide, Gongja.”

“I want to name it Eunyul (隱月) after your name. How about that?”

Gowol’s eyes shimmered. He appreciated Geonmuguk’s consideration of including his name.

“I really like it. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

“Thanks are mine. Sorry for entrusting such a difficult task from the start.”

“I’m grateful to have been given such an important responsibility from the beginning.”

While Geonmuguk and Gowol said farewell, Pungcheongyoju and Gwonma also exchanged brief goodbyes.

Pungcheongyoju greeted Gwonma first.

“It was good to meet you this time.”

“I didn’t know the sect leader was so devoted to my disciple. I’m grateful.”

In fact, Pungcheongyoju wasn’t close with any of the Ma Jons. Mabool had been friendly, but they had already parted ways.

Although this was an opportunity to get closer with Gwonma, they refrained from deep talks, keeping polite distance.

“Let’s have a drink next time we get the chance.”

That was Pungcheongyoju’s sincere wish.

“Hey, Igongja. Make sure to get permission from me.”

That too was sincere.

I ran with Gwonma using lightness skill.

We took it slow and leisurely coming here, but on the return, we dashed at a terrifying speed.

We ran without rest until dark. The distance that had taken days on the way here was covered in half a day.

“Let’s camp here tonight. Please sit for a moment.”

I skillfully tidied the surroundings. First, I laid leaves for Gwonma to rest comfortably.

I was grateful to him. I never imagined he would permit this trip. Considering his relationship with Father, he was the Ma Jon most opposed, but he prioritized his relationship with me.

While Gwonma closed his eyes and practiced qigong breathing, I lit a campfire in front of him.

I caught game and cooked it. Before departing, I stopped by the inn and bought seasonings needed for some dishes, so I could serve fairly tasty food.

“You even brought seasonings?”

“Of course. When traveling far, this is the most important. How does it taste?”

“Delicious.”

“Do you know whose recipe this seasoning is?”

“The flavor the sect leader used to make.”

His words surprised me.

“Have you ever tasted Father’s cooking?”

“Once or twice in the past. There was a time when we traveled together a lot. We fought many battles then.”

I briefly imagined Father and Gwonma.

Two men, Cheonma and Gwonma.

I recalled young Father. Beside him stood young Gwonma. The boy who fought in the arena became Gwonma, and the youth who picked that boy became Cheonma.

I imagined the two stern, masculine, and fiercest men in the martial world roaming the rivers and lakes. They wouldn’t fear anyone, nor be intimidated.

Just as I fought back to back with Geukak Soma against enemies, those two must have relied on each other in battle.

And at night, they would light a campfire like this and eat meat with alcohol. Probably saying little.

Maybe Gwonma was recalling his youth during our camping now.

“There is alcohol here too.”

I took out the liquor I brought and poured a drink.

Drinking with Gwonma by the campfire was enjoyable.

“The return trip is the more important part of a journey.”

“Why?”

“Do you know when a journey truly finishes? When you open your room door, say ‘Ah! Finally back!’ and throw yourself on the bed. We’re running toward that final moment. It’s even more important than the excitement at departure.”

Gwonma looked at me with strange eyes.

“How do you know so well?”

Because my life was a continuous long journey. And I had no room to return to.

At that time, my room was the courtyard of a ghost master’s house. Bringing big law materials and seeing his startled face, I felt a brief relief thinking, Ah! I did it!

“This trip with Master was really good.”

I get along well with this honest and quiet person. Now I’m talkative, reckless, laughing, and noisy, but originally I was much like Gwonma.

“By the way, when you return, reduce your participation in the Iron Fist training.”

Gwonma asked me specifically as if he intended to do that.

“Should I participate in one each day? White fist today, blue fist tomorrow, like this?”

“No. Then Master would have to watch them every day. Instead, keep visiting four places as usual, but participate only once every five days.”

“Five days?”

“For the other four days, do whatever you want. Completely your own time.”

“What about late-night training meetings?”

“Do as you please. Come if you want, rest if you want.”

Gwonma nodded. This lazy trip changed his life. I look forward to the result of that change.

At dawn, we ran and ran again. When our internal energy dropped, we sat together to recover through qigong breathing.

Thus, we ran unhindered back to the sect.

When I returned to Cheonma Shingyo, Father was at the ironworks.

The sect’s ironworks boasted the largest scale in the martial world.

Inside the vast ironworks, hundreds of shirtless men were melting molten metal and hammering iron.

The hot heat, smell of sweat, and smell of iron.

Kaang! Kkang! Kaang!

I always liked the sound of hammering iron. That dangerously fierce clash of swords was contained in that sound. So that sound always felt hot.

Men who caught my eye bowed their heads. I lightly greeted them and walked through.

Far ahead, I saw Father. Even among many people passing by, Father’s presence was distinct. Everyone looked like black and white in a picture, but Father alone was a vivid red spot.

Father stood with Gwak Bangju, the ironworks manager called Shinsura. Gwak Bangju was showing Father a newly made sword. Before mass-producing new weapons, he always sought Father’s opinion.

Since the two were seriously examining the sword and talking, I waited a little apart.

The best swordsman and the best sword maker in the world were exchanging opinions. Could there be a more moving scene in this ironworks?

If the new sword passed inspection, it would be mass-produced to replace the sect’s swordsmen’s swords. Usually, swords are upgraded about once every five years, or once every ten years if it takes longer.

The upgraded swords are distributed to all sect warriors. They may use other swords at their discretion, but most use the swords made by the sect ironworks. The quality is that good.

At that moment, Father turned and met my eyes. “You came?” “Yes, I’ve returned.” A brief but very joyful glance.

I greeted Father in a loud voice.

“Have you been well? I have completed my mission in Jungwon and returned.”

Then Father said to me:

“Mission? I heard you went off to slack with Gwonma.”

“I don’t know who spreads such scandalous rumors.”

Of course, it was me. When I leave Jungwon, I regularly send news through Tongcheongak. If I cooperate ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) well like this, I can get active help when I need it later.

Gwak Bangju looked at us with a slightly surprised expression. He must have been surprised by how comfortably Father and I talked.

“Come here and see the new sword.”

I examined the sword Father handed me. After looking carefully, I gave my thoughts.

“It’s a little lighter than the previous swords. The length is slightly longer.”

When I immediately noticed, a look of admiration flashed in Gwak’s eyes.

“It’s a subtle difference, but you noticed.”

“Of course, Master, I’ve trained a lot with your sword.”

“How does it feel?”

“To be honest, I don’t know well because I’ve been punching more than swordsmanship lately.”

I smiled and passed over it. I could make suggestions, but with Father here, was there any need?

Father shared his thoughts with Gwak Bangju.

“It’d be better to make it just a little lighter. The length is just right now.”

“Understood, Sect Leader.”

Father agreed with my opinion. I even pointed out something he hadn’t thought of.

“Narrow the grain on the sword handle a bit. It seems slipperier than before.”

“Understood, Sect Leader.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“I’ll contact you again when it’s finished.”

Father left the ironworks, and after greeting Gwak Bangju, I followed him. Men standing along the way stopped in unison and bowed. Their respect and fear for Father were as hot as the fire they handled.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

“Where is Gwonma?”

“He should arrive in about half an hour.”

“Didn’t he come together?”

“He proposed a lightness skill race at the last moment.”

I spoke to Father after a pause.

“I’ve become Gwonma’s disciple.”

Father’s steps paused briefly. I had told him in advance and received permission, but I was still nervous.

What would Father feel?

Would he be displeased? Or indifferent? Or pleased?

No matter how hard I tried to read Father, it was difficult to know his mind. This matter surely held some meaning to Father, but he showed no emotion.

“How about your fist techniques?”

“I’ve learned the Lightning Shura Fist up to the sixth form.”

“He probably hasn’t realized your mischief yet. The last two forms should have been taught gradually.”

“Father, masters get their martial arts into practice by such childish mischief.”

We crossed the great martial stage toward Cheonma Jeon. Passing martial artists bowed to Father.

“Father, I have a request. It’s very important.”

We stopped in the middle of the great martial stage. I wanted to say this not in Cheonma Jeon, but here, because this was Jungwon’s matter and outside the sect.

“I want to kill Yaryulhan of Sadomeng. Please grant permission.”

This could have led to a scolding.

But instead of scolding, the usual sneer appeared on Father’s lips.

“Absolutely not!”

Absolute was attached before “no.” With that resolute refusal, Father turned and walked away.

“I will work to get permission from now on. That’s why I came to tell you.”

Father just walked away silently. His back spoke. No matter what effort I make, he will not allow it.

I declared war on Father. From now on, I must somehow persuade him. Perhaps gaining permission will be harder than killing Yaryulhan.

Watching Father’s back as he walked toward Cheonma Jeon, I felt as if I had returned home.

“Ah! Home is really the best!”

I returned to my happy home, where huge evil ghost statues swung swords and sabers in all directions.