Only Geukak Soma appeared in Cheonha Ruju’s eyes.

Everything around vanished, leaving only the image of Geukak Soma walking against a white background.

“Brother, you’re here?”

The warriors of Cheonha Ru burst out in joyful exclamations. Though they did not know Geukak Soma’s true identity, they knew that Cheonha Ruju was the only one who called him “Brother.”

At that moment, Baekdo moved like lightning and hid behind Cheonha Ruju. Swiftly drawing his sword, he aimed it at Cheonha Ruju’s neck.

“Stop! If you come any closer, this woman dies!”

Geukak Soma halted his steps.

Baekdo used [N O V E L I G H T] Cheonha Ruju as a shield, peeking out slightly and glaring at Geukak Soma. The eyes behind his mask were smiling.

The sword Baekdo aimed at Cheonha Ruju’s neck trembled. Though he had carried out countless kidnappings and murders under Yeobulgae’s orders, he had never once felt fear. Now, the killing machine who knew no fear was experiencing it for the first time. This feeling was unfamiliar even to him.

“Who are you?”

Instead of answering, Geukak Soma looked at Cheonha Ruju. Seeing his concerned gaze, she smiled even brighter.

“Who else but the man coming to save the gisaeng? He’s my pillar husband.”

Though Baekdo heard the term “pillar husband,” Geukak Soma’s eyes were still smiling.

Baekdo, however, could not comprehend it.

Did Black Sword really die by the hands of some pillar husband of a mere gisaeng? Did he have to resort to a hostage situation? Feeling fear for the first time? Ridiculous!

Geukak Soma spoke quietly.

“Close your eyes.”

Cheonha Ruju closed her eyes.

The moment she did—

Fiiing!

Baekdo’s exposed ear was cut off with a thud.

Without hesitation, at the moment Baekdo was about to strike Cheonha Ruju’s neck—

Thuk!

His elbow was pierced. Jipung flew precisely to a place that would not hurt her, passing through his body.

He gritted his teeth and tried to cut her neck.

Puh-ok!

This time the back of his hand holding the sword was pierced. Since Jipung hit the sword’s hilt, it did not injure her.

He hadn’t expected such a precise and delicate attack.

As Baekdo tried to catch the sword falling from his hand with his other hand, his body was exposed for a moment.

Fiiing! Puh-uk!

His left eye was pierced. Staggering back, his right eye was then pierced.

“Uaaah!”

With a desperate scream, he backed away.

Fiiing! Puh-ok!

This time his mouth was pierced.

Everyone could feel it—the hand that aimed the sword at Cheonha Ruju, the mouth that threatened to kill this woman, was being punished.

Even in his dying moments, Baekdo couldn’t believe it. How could someone attack so boldly with a hostage? How could the attack be so precise and delicate? How could a person shoot Jipung consecutively like that?

Fiiing! Puh-ok!

Baekdo’s forehead was pierced, and he collapsed. He died with all kinds of doubts in his mind. Really a pillar husband?

A look of deep emotion crossed Cheonha Ruju’s face. The taciturn Geukak Soma showed his anger not in words but through action. He always had been a man of deeds rather than words.

Cheonha Ruju looked down at the bodies of the Black and White Twin Swords and the blood flowing around them, saying regretfully,

“I thought you’d come, so I cleaned up thoroughly.”

“It’s fine. I like the smell of blood.”

Cheonha Ruju strode forward and leaned into Geukak Soma’s arms. Geukak Soma stood still without embracing her, but she was not disappointed.

Considering Geukak Soma’s personality and their first meeting, his standing still like this was no different from holding her tightly.

The Cheonha Ru warriors standing behind also bowed in unison, expressing gratitude for their master’s rescue.

Geukak Soma said to Cheonha Ruju,

“There are guests who came with me.”

Cheonha Ruju, understanding the implied meaning, began organizing the place.

The wounded warriors were sent to the medic, and the bodies of the Black and White Twin Swords were removed. The remaining warriors were sent outside to block anyone from entering.

Then Geom Mugeuk and his party entered.

Cheonha Ruju greeted Geom Mugeuk first.

“Master Lee, how have you been?”

“I have been well.”

“Did this warrior not come with you?”

“Our beautiful heart was so scared someone might take her away, I hid her securely at the main hall.”

Cheonha Ruju smiled.

“She will be precious. Even if sent into the world, she will manage well.”

Geom Mugeuk knew she was an extraordinary woman. Even when she was plump, her ability to see through Ian’s beauty proved she was no ordinary person.

“If you don’t trust my words, trust this warrior.”

“No, I will believe Lady Ruju’s words and send her out.”

Because of the Guiyeongdae, she would go out into the world. With Bicheon Sword Technique at the Mature Stage, there was little concern. Now Cheongmyeon was also present.

Geom Mugeuk then introduced Duke Dok to her.

“This is Duke Dok from our main hall.”

Introducing himself to a mere gisaeng master? Normally impossible, but Duke Dok was not uncomfortable at all. A woman calling Geukak Soma “Brother” was not just any gisaeng master.

Cheonha Ruju gave Duke Dok a polite bow. When she tried to bow fully, Duke Dok gently stopped her.

“No need for such excessive courtesy.”

Instead, Duke Dok bowed politely and greeted her.

“Nice to meet you.”

It was considerate of Geukak Soma.

“I am Cheonha Ruju, honored lady of Cheonha Ru.”

She was not surprised that Duke Dok looked so youthful. Just as she had seen the true nature beneath Ian’s appearance, perhaps she saw the true self hidden beneath Duke Dok’s appearance.

Geukak Soma’s gaze softened toward Duke Dok in how she treated her. Though still awkward, when they first left the sect, they hadn’t even met eyes for days. Compared to then, they were childhood friends.

Next, Geom Mugeuk introduced Seodaeryong.

“This is my right hand.”

“Honored to meet you. I am Seodaeryong.”

Cheonha Ruju stared at Seodaeryong intently and smiled.

“It’s been a long time since I met someone with such a clear soul.”

Cheonha Ruju seemed to recognize Seodaeryong’s kindness at a glance. Seodaeryong was moved. It was probably the first time he had ever been told his soul looked clear.

Seodaeryong shrugged his shoulders at Geom Mugeuk as if to say, This is who I am.

“Please make sure to include ‘clear soul’ when introducing me! Even if you leave everything else out.”

“Could it be that you’re just saying ‘always losing out, getting deceived by women, and easy to scam’ in a nicer way?”

Seodaeryong looked at Cheonha Ruju with a “no way” expression. He sent her pleading eyes, but she just smiled.

Then Geom Mugeuk introduced Gowol.

“If Seodaeryong is my right hand, this is my head.”

Cheonha Ruju’s gaze on Gowol was similar to how she looked at Ian—reverence and support for someone destined for great things, though unspoken.

Pungcheon Gyoju’s eyes sparkled, curious about how Geom Mugeuk would introduce him.

“He is my steadfast supporter.”

Pungcheon Gyoju said.

“To be a supporter, you must have more to take.”

“There’s plenty left to take.”

“Still left?”

“It hasn’t even been three years since the rich fell.”

Seeing Geom Mugeuk’s expression knowing all the secrets, Pungcheon Gyoju told Gowol, “Don’t go around talking about me!”

Though he said there was more to take, Pungcheon Gyoju didn’t feel bad. He knew Geom Mugeuk was joking, and the saddest thing was the moment when someone becomes unnecessary to another.

Thus, Geom Mugeuk introduced all his people.

Cheonha Ruju looked at Geukak Soma, Duke Dok, Seodaeryong, Gowol, and Pungcheon Gyoju standing at Geom Mugeuk’s sides with a peculiar gaze. What exactly was she seeing now?

Cheonha Ruju bowed politely.

“Welcome to Cheonha Ru.”

Geom Mugeuk and his party all bowed politely in return.

Cheonha Ruju led them inside.

“I will prepare rooms for your stay first.”

Then Geukak Soma said to her,

“Have the rooms next to yours assigned to them.”

“Yes.”

From those words, Cheonha Ruju must have understood that this visit was related to Cheonha Ru’s safety. Still, she did not ask before we spoke first. She was calm yet cautious.

While everyone unpacked, I met Cheonha Ruju first with Geukak Soma to explain the situation.

“We came because the enemy Soma and I are dealing with runs the gisaeng house and targeted Gwiju.”

“Is that person Yeobulgae?”

She clearly already knew about Yeobulgae. Cheonha Ru gathered information for Geukak Soma, so she had already grasped the one called the King of Night.

“Yes.”

“I know Yeobulgae is expanding gisaeng houses throughout Jungwon. His reputation is very bad.”

“It seems the time has come for him to pay the price for those rumors.”

Joy flashed in Cheonha Ruju’s eyes. As someone involved in the gisaeng business, she must have heard many evils about Yeobulgae.

“You don’t know what kind of look Soma had the moment he heard Yeobulgae was moving into Gwiju, Lady Ruju.”

Cheonha Ruju looked at Geukak Soma.

“I think I do?”

She looked at him with a gaze born only from deep trust.

Meanwhile, although Geukak Soma had killed the Black and White Twin Swords, he was still unsettled. What if he had arrived late? Because of that, his anger toward Yeobulgae was even deeper. It felt like he wanted to rush at Yeobulgae right now.

Meanwhile, Cheonha Ruju was so bright and calm despite having faced a near-death crisis.

Geom Mugeuk felt this calmness as well. At least she was a woman who knew how her fate would unfold. If we hadn’t arrived on time, she probably would have made a different choice from the start.

“I envy you!”

Though meant to make Geukak Soma a little embarrassed, he only silently observed Cheonha Ruju.

Shortly after, everyone gathered in one place.

Gowol revealed the plan for the next steps.

“Today’s incident was unexpected.”

We had planned to take our time handling that guy here, but Yeobulgae struck Cheonha Ru faster than expected.

“If it becomes known that the Black and White Twin Swords are dead, he might launch a full attack on Cheonha Ru. If we don’t leave this place, there might be more casualties. Even if we hold him off, problems will arise. The Sado Maeng will certainly learn that Yeobulgae was hit while attacking Cheonha Ru.”

This place could no longer be Geukak Soma’s sanctuary.

“What do you think?”

At my question, Gowol glanced at Geukak Soma and Cheonha Ruju.

“The plan I devised needs Soma-nim’s and Ruju-nim’s approval.”

After saying this, Gowol revealed his plan.

“Since he wants Ruju-nim, you should go. Gongja-nim and Soma-nim will act as the Black and White Twin Swords and bring Ruju-nim to his place. Since those two usually wear distinctive clothes, if you both wear black and white outfits and put on death caps, you should be able to get in as deep as possible.”

It was a shocking and bold plan. The core of the plan was stealth.

“The news of his death should be delayed as much as possible.”

Because before news of his death spreads, we plan to strike Yalyulhan.

Of course, Gowol added a word about the part he was most careful about.

“If those going are not Gongja-nim and Soma-nim, I would never send Ruju-nim to such a dangerous place.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at Geukak Soma. Since Cheonha Ruju had to go together, he intended to follow Geukak Soma’s decision.

Cheonha Ruju calmly spoke first.

“I will go.”

Geukak Soma’s hesitation was brief. He nodded and approved the plan.

Gowol bowed and thanked the two for accepting the plan.

Then he spoke to Duke Dok.

“I have a favor to ask of you, Duke Dok. After Yeobulgae is eliminated, please protect Ruju-nim until this matter is over.”

Though it might have been an unwelcome request, Duke Dok answered willingly.

“Of course.”

Swish!

Duke Dok opened his fan and waved it gently. Since he had given permission, who in this world could kill Cheonha Ruju?

Geukak Soma and Duke Dok’s gazes crossed in the air. They did not say words like “I ask you,” or “Don’t worry.” Neither were people to show off or repay favors with words.

Finally, Gowol spoke to Geom Mugeuk.

“I will go ahead and prepare to face Yalyulhan.”

His words were full of confidence that the two would succeed.

Cheonha Ruju looked between Geukak Soma and Geom Mugeuk.

“If such a cool Black and White Twin Sword had come, I would have followed first.”

Everyone laughed together at her joke.

Geom Mugeuk asked Geukak Soma,

“Will you take the White Sword or the Black Sword?”

Geukak Soma answered shortly,

“White suits me better.”