The next dawn, a carriage quietly slipped out of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

It carried Geukak Soma, Soma, and the Poison King.

Far away, two men were watching the carriage’s departure. They were none other than Cheonma Sword Master Geom Woojin and Chief Military Officer Sama Myung.

“I must now resign from my post as Chief Military Officer.”

When Geom Woojin looked at him with a questioning expression, Sama Myung smiled bitterly.

“I never imagined that Lee Gongja would make the Poison King howl in the Great Martial Arena. I knew Lee Gongja was extraordinary, but I didn’t expect him to even bring down the Poison King.”

Geom Woojin nodded.

“I feel the same.”

“There’s one more shock. Still, I never thought the Sect Leader would approve this.”

“What can I do? I promised.”

Sama Myung knew that Geom Woojin was a man who never broke his promises. That was why he should have been more decisive from the start, but he allowed some leeway with the Poison King.

‘Could it be that the Sect Leader anticipated this outcome?’

Sama Myung thought it might be so. As for Geom Woojin’s feelings about this matter, they remained an enigma.

“During this operation, you are to fully disclose all information to the Second-in-Command.”

“Yes, Tongcheongak will provide full support.”

“And be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.”

Among the unforeseen, the two most serious were: that the mission succeeds but it becomes known that the Heavenly Demon Sect was responsible for dealing with Yaryulhan, or that Geukak Soma and the two Ma Jons fail to kill him and fall into danger.

In either case, the aftermath would be severe. The Sado Alliance wouldn’t dare declare war on the Heavenly Demon Sect, but they would demand proper compensation—and if refused, could ally with the Martial Arts Alliance. Likewise, if Geukak Soma or the Ma Jons died or were gravely wounded, it would cause serious issues.

Did Geom Woojin not know these facts? Yet he still gave permission.

‘Could it be that he wants the martial world’s balance destabilized by this incident?’

Sama Myung knew that someday Geukak Soma would draw his sword against the martial world. Suddenly, he wondered if this mission was intended as that beginning.

One thing was certain. Not only had the Ma Jons changed, but Cheonma himself had also transformed. Normally, he would never have left, but just seeing that carriage here with them made it clear.

“Gongja, be sure to succeed and return.”

And that wind of change was blowing not only inside the Heavenly Demon Sect but also toward the martial world.

The one driving the carriage was Seo Daeryong.

When told last night that he had to depart together the next day, he had protested.

“No! How dangerous a place are you dragging me to this time?”

“It’s nothing serious. Just drive the carriage a bit and run some errands later.”

“That just makes it more suspicious! It reeks of danger.”

“That’s the scent of adventure. The scent of growth and memories, too.”

“Put it all together and it smells dangerous. Sorry, but I’m not going! Winning the Little Dragon Tournament ended my adventures for life. I told you I’d just live off that pride.”

“You’re the only one who can do it.”

“There are so many Ma Ins at the main sect, you know?”

“This mission involves me, the main sect, and the fate of the martial world. We need someone trustworthy who’ll keep the secret until death. At least no wicked women will try to tempt you.”

“Right where it hurts.”

What ultimately moved him was this:

“We’re going to handle that incident.”

Then all trace of playfulness vanished from Seo Daeryong’s face.

“In that case, I have to go.”

That morning, Seo Daeryong boarded the carriage with the firm resolve to punish whoever was behind the incident.

“Why take the carriage? Shouldn’t the two of you travel by lightness skill?”

“We’re not going alone.”

“Huh?”

Peeking into the carriage, Seo Daeryong was startled. After pulling me aside, he whispered:

“Why are those two in the carriage?”

“Because they’re coming along to help.”

“You never said the carriage I’m driving carries Geukak Soma and the Poison King! Tell me everything. Who exactly is the enemy?”

“Yaryulhan.”

Seo Daeryong blinked for a moment.

“There’s only one Yaryulhan I know... no? Hey, why joke so harshly? Please say it’s not true.”

Just as he turned to run away, I said:

“You’ll tell that kid yourself. We avenged your family.”

Seo Daeryong stopped and turned back. With slumped shoulders, he walked toward the driver’s seat, saying:

“You can’t say it like that and expect me not to go!”

I knew he was just joking nervously. He wasn’t the type to avoid such affairs.

He would want to avenge that child, and above all, this was a journey with me. Since the last time he left the sect, he had become a disciple of Blood Heaven Butcher and the champion of the Little Dragon Tournament.

Seo Daeryong was needed for this mission. Even just this carriage—if I had driven it, the carriage with Geukak Soma and the Poison King would have been filled with suffocating silence.

Since getting in, the two had not exchanged a single word after their greeting. They were truly not close.

It was expected. And I deliberately made no effort to get them close. If an opportunity arose, they’d bond; if not, they’d return coldly like this.

“All current intel about those guys has been received from Tongcheongak, and we expect more.”

I didn’t tell the two, but the Silver Moon Sect, led by Gowol and Sect Leader Pungcheon, was also actively gathering intelligence. They would join on-site to assist.

“Our destination is where Jisaeng, the Golden Pig who makes immortal dishes, resides. We’ll discuss the plan after arriving there.”

“The plan will follow Lee Gongja’s will.”

At Geukak Soma’s polite reply, the Poison King glanced at us, seemingly wanting to say something but held back because of Geukak Soma’s presence.

—Just one question: Why does Geukak Soma like you so much?

—Why send messages instead of speaking?

—How do you ask when you’re not even close? Do they have leverage on you? Why are you so nice?

—If you send messages, I won’t answer. Ask like a man!

The Poison King turned his head toward the window.

Geom Woojin noticed the Poison King had sent me a message and looked at me. I smiled and nodded to him once. Just exchanging looks like that was enough to feel good. Surprisingly so.

The Poison King asked about something unrelated to Geukak Soma.

“Will a plan materialize if the plan that doesn’t exist arrives?”

“If an army that doesn’t exist arrives, yes.”

“Army? Sama Military?”

The Poison King didn’t know that Gowol and Pungcheon had become my allies.

“No, I have my own forces, too.”

“Already have forces?”

“To survive in this harsh martial world, you need forces. Everyone has at least one tactician who can’t play baduk.”

The Poison King looked confused. Normally, he might have cursed, but Geukak Soma was there, so he held back. That was one good thing about these two being together.

—Are you scared of Soma?

I thought he’d say it was nonsense.

—Then aren’t you scared? Even just looking at that mask makes my heart race.

Unexpected answer. I never thought the Poison King feared Geukak Soma.

—Right now, Soma must be trembling looking at your poison pouch.

—No way. That man is not afraid of death.

I never thought he’d assess Geukak Soma like that.

—And you, Poison King?

—I’m scared of dying. Isn’t that why you haven’t left Cheondok Forest?

Are you afraid of dying? Or afraid of killing?

Instead of asking that, I asked something else.

“How do you feel about leaving the sect after such a long time?”

The Poison King’s gaze went toward the running carriage.

“Feelings? I used to roam the Central Plains endlessly.”

“The Poison King?”

“Would I have gained the title of Poison King in Cheondok Forest otherwise? In my youth, I traveled the entire Central Plains seeking poison.”

Why had he retreated to Cheondok Forest?

But I didn’t ask. If we ever become close, I’ll hear it naturally. The day I reveal that I am the Invincible Poison.

At that moment—

With urgent barking, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Ordinary people might have been thrown forward, but Ma Jons were Ma Jons. The two calmly stayed in place.

Seo Daeryong, sitting at the driver’s seat, spoke anxiously.

“Sorry! A deer suddenly darted out from the roadside bushes.”

“Since we’re stopped, let’s rest a bit. The horses seem startled too.”

I got out of the carriage with the two Ma Jons.

Seo Daeryong bowed apologetically to the Ma Jons again.

He had feared that Geukak Soma almost flew forward and crashed into the front of the carriage. If the corner of his mask had broken from that impact? Thinking about it, Seo Daeryong’s face turned pale.

To ease the tension, I formally introduced Seo Daeryong.

“He is the senior disciple of Master Butcher. Currently learning his poison martial arts.”

Geukak Soma was already aware and was not surprised; the Poison King was startled.

“Disciple of Butcher?”

Apparently, the small, frail man being the next Blood Heaven Butcher was unexpected.

I gave Seo Daeryong more weight.

“He is also my right hand.”

The Poison King’s gaze turned toward me. Even with the look saying “your right hand?” I firmly said,

“Having him around is a great comfort.”

The Poison King looked back at Seo Daeryong, who was naturally burdened.

“Flattery.”

Seo Daeryong bowed politely. Just then, a message came flying.

—Stop it! Please don’t make me so obvious in front of the Ma Jons! Pretend I’m not here!

Seo Daeryong looked up, and I smiled.

“He won the Little Dragon Tournament among the best late-stage martial artists of the orthodox sects.”

Seeing Seo Daeryong’s eyes begging me to stop, I wrapped it up.

“We will meet again at a Ma Jon gathering far in the future.”

Seo Daeryong, having given up everything, looked up at the sky with a blissful smile. Now that he’s teased enough, it’s time to go.

“Alright, let’s depart.”

We got back into the carriage.

Seo Daeryong, who had been driving excitedly moments ago, now cautiously drove like a novice. He was afraid of stopping abruptly again.

I shouted toward the driver’s seat.

“If you keep driving this slowly, I’ll have to switch places with you. Want to get in here?”

At that moment, the carriage suddenly accelerated fiercely.

The carriage ran and ran.

To avoid leaving traces, we didn’t stop in villages and camped outdoors. When the food and wine we brought ran out, I hunted and cooked for the Ma Jons.

The Poison King, tasting my cooking for the first time, praised how skilled I was.

We kept riding until we reached the area where Jisaeng, the Golden Pig, lived.

At the entrance, Gowol and Sect Leader Pungcheon greeted us.

The Poison King saw Gowol and Sect Leader Pungcheon and asked me,

—Why is Sect Leader Pungcheon here?

—He is very close with my forces.

—So Pungcheon leaving the sect leadership was because of you.

—Why do you keep sending messages? Just ask # Nоvеlight # me straight. Sect Leader Pungcheon, what are you doing here? Why would the great Poison King be afraid?

—Afraid? No, just awkward.

—It’s fine to bark in front of so many people? And to be confident in front of your father?

—I have to do those things. But these people make me uncomfortable.

Still, this was a moment showing progress with the Poison King. He was honestly sharing his feelings.

After letting the two Ma Jons rest in their rooms, I sat separately with Gowol.

“You are amazing. Even the Poison King’s heart moved.”

“They are more curious or kindly toward me than truly loyal.”

“I think kindness can wield more power than loyalty.”

“I hope so.”

I felt this was just the beginning of relations with the Ma Jons.

Truly becoming close to someone is hard. Harder still is maintaining that relationship. After the freshness and interest in someone fades, boredom and disappointment inevitably follow. There is still a long way to go with the Ma Jons.

“This mission must be handled more carefully than anything else.”

He understood its gravity better than anyone.

“Honestly, considering the skills of Gongja and the Ma Jons, eliminating the Four Underlings isn’t difficult. The issue is leaving no trace of the main sect and not making Yaryulhan suspicious.”

Gowol seemed to have thought this through carefully.

“I will follow your plan.”

This wasn’t to please me. I was committed to following Gowol’s words strictly. How to raise a good military leader? Simple. Follow his plan and make it succeed. The more confident the leader, the better the next plan. I would only handle any parts that didn’t go as planned.

“Our first target, Jisaeng, is in the process of making the new immortal dish. We recently found someone to assign this task.”

That’s why punishing the lower scoundrels endlessly is useless. Once Jisaeng tastes the money of the immortal dish, he must be eliminated to end the dish as well.

With a confident look, Gowol said,

“They say those who chase the deer cannot see the mountain. Killing him will be his own greed’s downfall.”

I guessed his plan and smiled.

“I’ll have to show the one who loves immortals that some immortals are evil immortals.”