‘Clearly, my father must have achieved great success, but why didn’t the Heavenly Demon’s Martial Art activate? Did it activate and still fail to protect him? Or did he engage in such a fierce battle that he didn’t even have enough inner strength left to activate the Heavenly Demon’s Martial Art?’

The more I understood how powerful my father’s martial abilities were, the more I questioned his death. Did Hwa Mugi really defeat a man like my father?

I wanted to ask my father.

What exactly happened that day?

But I couldn’t ask. It was an event that hadn’t even occurred yet.

And I would never know.

That event would never happen.

I smiled slightly and said to my father.

“A secret has formed between you and me. I’m more pleased by that than by mastering the Heavenly Demon’s Martial Art.”

The word "secret" seemed to bother my father, and his expression turned grim. I quickly added and turned away.

“Even if you’re annoyed, you won’t be able to do anything about it. I’m still more familiar with the Wind God Four Steps than you are.”

I activated Swift Step and sprinted out of there in an instant.

Just as my new form reached the edge of the red carpet, it happened.

Whoosh!

I felt something brush past me, accompanied by a cool breeze.

The next moment, I stopped Swift Step.

Somehow, my father had blocked my path.

Then, he flicked my forehead with his finger. It was a situation where I couldn’t avoid it, and even if I tried, I couldn’t evade it—my father’s movement was that fast.

“Ouch!”

I clutched my forehead. It wasn’t an act. The pain was so intense that I saw stars for a moment.

“I thought you were so proud that you were faster than me.”

In the next instant, my father disappeared.

He used Shadow Step to vanish from my sight, and then quickly returned to his seat using Swift Step. Watching that movement made me realize ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ once again that my understanding of martial arts was far different from his.

I understood. He wasn’t here just to flick my forehead because I annoyed him.

Father was intentionally showing me this: this is what the Wind God Four Steps truly is.

“The martial art you mastered is the Wind God Four Steps, but what was that initial technique you used to fly?”

“It’s the Heavenly Demon Flying Technique”

The Heavenly Demon Flying Technique was my father’s unique flying technique.

“Is it faster than Swift Step?”

“Right now, it is, of course. But I don’t know what will happen once the Wind God Four Steps reaches perfection.”

“When I achieve perfection, we’ll settle it.”

“I’ll reach perfection first, so I’ll already know the outcome.”

“That’s uncertain. I might reach perfection faster. After all, my young mind is sharper, don’t you think?”

“From that sharp mind, you’ll run away.”

The blood trickled down from my forehead where I had been flicked.

“Agh! Maybe I should have asked you to teach me the Indestructible Divine Art instead.”

With the glorious wound on my forehead, I left the Heavenly Demon Temple.

It was a wound you couldn’t even buy with money.

I felt like I had grown just a little closer to my father.

Of course, I had to be careful with these thoughts.

Mistakes in human relationships often come from letting down your guard when you’re too familiar with someone.

In any case, through this exchange of martial arts, both my father and I had taken a step forward. The future where Hwa Mugi would come was fixed, but the present was still in flux.

“Who the hell was that? What arrogant fool dared to lay hands on Master’s body?”

Ian was extremely worked up when she saw the bruise on my forehead. She had transformed into the passionate older sister who had come in to protect me.

“Do you want to know? I’ll get revenge for you!”

“Of course. Just tell me who it is, and I’ll go take care of it…”

“I was struck by my father.”

“…”

“Why aren’t you going?”

Ian suddenly grew calm and stepped back.

“I’m the one who protects, not the one who attacks.”

Seeing her speak so decisively, I smiled. It was fun to joke and play around like this, something I hadn’t been able to do before. It was also fun to see her smile, her eyes disappearing into a crescent shape.

“By the way, I’ve become the head of the Yellow Spring Division. Once I officially receive my appointment, I’ll be heading to the Yellow Spring Division.”

Ian’s expression changed from excitement to complete disbelief.

“You’re speaking so casually about such a major promotion?!”

“What’s the big deal?”

“My goodness! Do you have any idea how prestigious the Yellow Spring Division is? As the head of the Yellow Spring Division, even the demon lords would be dragged in for punishment if they broke the law.”

Why wouldn’t I know? The reason my father sent me was precisely because of that.

Becoming the head of the Yellow Spring Division would surely cause a huge stir within the sect.

“Congratulations, truly congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“But why did the sect leader suddenly appoint you as the head of the Yellow Spring Division?”

“I suppose he felt guilty after hitting me.”

“Stop joking around!”

“I told you. This sect needs to change. It’s not a place where people should learn martial arts that ruin their bodies just to protect someone.”

“!”

Ian flinched, her voice trembling.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’m going to make this sect a place where people won’t have to live with the lifelong effects of the Stoneflesh Body Art.”

Ian looked completely stunned. How long had she been standing there, frozen?

“Could it be… did you know?”

“Yeah.”

Then she smiled slightly and casually replied.

“It’s the path I’ve chosen.”

“No, it was forced upon you when you were young.”

“No.”

Ian’s voice was firm.

“I remember clearly. That day, you told me there would be side effects from mastering the Stoneflesh Body Art. You told me to make the choice, so I chose.”

That choice couldn’t have been justifiable. She was just a young girl, and the question was framed like this:

“Do you want to learn this martial art to protect the young master, even if it means enduring side effects?”

So, that choice was forced upon her.

But I didn’t say that to her. I didn’t want to take away her pride in thinking it was her own choice.

“I’ll fix those side effects. Not now, but later.”

Ian smiled in response.

“You can’t.”

“I can. Trust me.”

“Yes, I’ll trust you.”

She took my words as a joke. Perhaps the person who taught her martial arts told her that side effects could never be removed.

Not wanting to talk about it further, Ian changed the subject.

“But if you become the head of the Yellow Spring Division, won’t the existing heads of the Yellow Spring Division rebel?”

“What can they do? The sect leader gave the order.”

In reality, I wasn’t too concerned about the existing heads. Based on how the Demon Corps incident had been handled, it was clear that they were either bribed by the Demon Corps or blackmailed. It was a situation where they had to step down anyway, and my father probably appointed me with that in mind. Sima Myeong would take care of the resignation process without a hitch.

“I’m more worried about the rebellion from the martial artists who do the actual work. If the Heavenly Demon’s son suddenly becomes the head, won’t that ruffle some feathers?”

“Anyone who sees the excellence and greatness of the one who falls will not be upset.”

“I appreciate you saying that, even if it’s just words.”

“Everyone has an opinion on those who distribute rewards.”

Smiling at her usual jokes, I decided to finally bring up the topic I’d been delaying.

“Since we’re talking about rewards, Ian, I have something to take care of. Listen closely to what I’m about to say.”

“Yes, whatever it is, I’ll listen.”

“Bodyguard Ian, I hereby dismiss you from your position as my bodyguard.”

Ian’s large frame jumped, then landed with a heavy thud. I felt sorry for her; she was so shocked.

“What do you mean, suddenly?”

“I’m dismissing you from being my bodyguard.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

She stared at me with an expression as if she had lost everything.

“I’ll ask you again. Are you serious?”

Her voice trembled with desperation, but I responded firmly.

“I'm serious.”

“May I ask why?”

“Because you didn’t avenge my father.”

She didn’t even smile at my joke.

Swish.

She drew her sword and pointed it at her own throat.

“I’d rather die. I’ll die as your bodyguard, young master.”

Ian, death is only necessary once.

I quickly spoke to her.

“I don’t mean to say goodbye. You’ll remain my martial artist.”

“Oh! You should have said that earlier! You nearly got me killed! Check my neck, did it not get hurt?”

Only then did she sigh in relief. But that didn’t mean all her worries were gone.

“But I was born to be a bodyguard. I’ve never considered any other job. What kind of job are you planning to give me?”

“Martial artist, Ian! From now on, I’m giving you a new position.”

“Yes!”

“I’m appointing you as the leader of the Ghost Shadow Corps"

She was just as shocked as when I dismissed her from being my bodyguard.

“Ghost Shadow Corps? Does such an organization exist in the sect?”

“No.”

“You’re giving me leadership of a non-existent organization?”

“I’m going to create it. From now on, all the rewards that once went to the sect will go to me.”

“Ghost Shadow Corps… does it mean the shadows of ghosts?”

“Yeah. To put it simply, I’ll be the ghost, and you will be my shadow.”

I intentionally added the character for “shadow” to the name. She had lived her life as my shadow, so this would be a name that felt closer.

“I like the name! But have you gotten permission from the sect leader?”

“Not yet.”

Creating a private organization within the sect was strictly forbidden.

“I’ll make sure to get permission.”

“You will make it happen. The problem is with me.”

“Why?”

“Why? First of all, I’m not qualified to lead such a significant organization.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you the martial arts suited for that position.”

“Even if I get stronger… do you think I’ll fit into such a position? No one will follow me.”

“They will follow you.”

They will follow because of your character.

And one day, they’ll learn that the leader they followed is the best in the world. Yes, this martial world will witness the strongest organization ever led by the greatest in the world.

“Ian, can you be the leader of the Ghost Shadow Corps for me?”

Our gazes locked in the air.

Her confidence was at rock bottom, but with the words “for me,” her answer was already decided.

“Yes, I will obey.”

“Good. Right now, I’m the only leader, but later, it will be the strongest organization in the martial world. From now on, abandon your old martial arts and focus solely on cultivating your internal energy and physical strength. When the time comes, I’ll teach you new techniques.”

“Understood.”

She answered firmly, but her expression was one of confusion. She didn’t know whether to be happy or worried.

“Then, who will protect you from now on?”

“A kid? Let them protect me. A martial artist should protect their own body.”

Her two eyes, buried in her skin, were filled with nothing but worry.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say thank you. I’ll give the best rewards, even more than the sect leaders.”

“You don’t have money, do you?”

“I’ll earn it.”

“How?”

“I know plenty of ways to make money. If it’s really necessary, I’ll sweep the Heavenly Demon Temple yard.”

“Master, I don’t need money. I’ve saved everything I’ve earned so far.”

“Money is always necessary. It’s your worth and your value. You give because it’s deserved. So don’t feel burdened by it.”

“…Yes.”

“And once you start spending money, it’ll be gone quickly. Save more fiercely. Life is long. If you’re unlucky, you might live to be a hundred. Or if you undergo reverse aging, you might live another hundred.”

With my joking words, Ian smiled.

If this had been in the past, I would have worried about her.

Could she accept this change? Would there be any problems?

But after living a full life, I now knew that all those worries were unnecessary.

I didn’t need to worry. People turned out to be smarter, more self-reliant, and better at living than I ever imagined.