He opened his eyes.

Though he woke in an unfamiliar place, his body felt so refreshed that he lay still on the bed for a while. Usually, after sleeping long, dreams would flood his mind, but this time he slept soundly without a single one.

How long had he slept?

A day? Two? Judging by his hunger, perhaps he had slept ten days straight.

Then a thought struck him, and he suddenly sat up.

“Soma-nim!”

Looking around, he realized this wasn’t the medical room.

This was a strange chamber he had never seen before. The clean bedding smelled pleasantly fragrant, and the furniture didn’t feel old or worn, but instead radiated the dignity of fine antique craftsmanship.

Then something caught his eye.

That hanging on the wall…!

To his surprise, this was his father’s bedroom.

His last memory was in the medical room—why was he sleeping here?

Beside the bed lay a clean set of martial robes.

He changed into them, still dazed, and looked around the chamber. Though he was the son, it was his first time entering this room.

“Father gave me a room?”

He didn’t know what the situation was, but that fact alone moved him deeply. He lay back down on his father’s bed.

The thought that his father slept here made him want to stay a while longer. It might be a rare chance.

Just then, his father’s voice came from outside the window.

“If you’re awake, come out.”

He jumped up from the bed and stepped outside.

His father sat at a stone tea table in the yard, drinking tea.

“To recognize the bed of the Heavenly Demon, one usually looks for the symbol of the Heavenly Demon Spirit or the Heavenly Demon Sword, right? But to identify it by a floral-patterned nightgown—impressive!”

The floral nightgown hanging on the wall was his father’s.

At his jest, his father set down the teacup and said,

“So you’re finally feeling alive again.”

“I feel like I could fly.”

In fact, his body had been fully healed.

“Why am I in your bedroom?”

“Because I brought you here.”

“You came to the medical room?”

Surprised by the question, his father nodded.

“I wasn’t alone. A few of your contacts came too.”

He roughly guessed who those visitors were.

“So those few can handle a hundred men, right?”

Not just a hundred—they were a thousand, or even ten thousand.

“How is Soma-nim?”

His heart clenched with worry. His father could have casually said “Soma is dead.”

“The Ma-ui is still treating him.”

Relief washed over him. Just hearing “Ma-ui” carried such power.

At that moment, the Heavenly Demon soldiers arrived, bringing him porridge. After days of hunger, it was a light meal—the father’s consideration.

“Have you eaten?”

“I have, but I will join you.”

“Thank you.”

The porridge tasted better than he imagined. After finishing the bowl and a cup of tea, though still hungry, he felt somewhat better.

“Where did the Mannyeonseolsam come from?”

“Yalyulhan brought it as a ninety-third birthday gift for Oreoshingeom.”

“And the aftermath of them?”

“Bisa-in will handle it.”

“Can he manage?”

“Yes, I believe he can.”

“You’ve chosen that boy as the next leader of the Satan Alliance.”

“I think it’s not a bad choice.”

Just then, a Heavenly Demon soldier came in and placed something before him.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.”

Inside the box was Mannyeonseolsam.

He was startled.

“Where did this come from?”

“Why? Do you think I tore open Soma’s stomach to get it?”

It was likely medicine from the Heavenly Demon Treasury. Only the Heavenly Demon himself knew its contents, but he had a rough idea.

“You’re giving this to me?”

“Yes.”

“Why give such a precious thing?”

“I willingly gave Mannyeonseolsam for my Majon, so naturally I should return it.”

He emphasized “my Majon,” meaning he was not yet his Majon.

“Are you afraid I might take Soma from you?”

Then he gave the smile he liked best—that signature smirk curling at the corners of his mouth.

“Don’t want it? Fine then.”

Quickly stuffing it into his mouth before his father could take it back.

Sweet and bitter, it was the most fragrant and delicious medicine he had ever tasted.

He circulated his qi swiftly, fully dissolving the Mannyeonseolsam’s energy into his internal power. The combined force refined his internal power, making it more harmonious and majestic.

While he cultivated, his father stood with hands behind his back, gazing at the distant Daechunsan Mountain.

He stepped beside his father and stood quietly, saying not thanks but apologies first.

“Sorry, Father.”

A son who puts his father in danger was unfilial even by that alone.

“That’s understood.”

“I will never forget the favor of receiving Mannyeonseolsam.”

It was not given lightly just because it was yielded to Soma. His father had other intentions—ones he now suspected.

“You said you would fight the succession without shedding blood.”

“Yes.”

“Is that still your resolve?”

“Unchanged.”

His father said no more.

He knew his father would soon decide the successor. Mannyeonseolsam was a gift to ensure a smooth conclusion to the succession battle. Each time he chewed it, he heard a voice in his ear:

‘Eat this and do well!’

If his father decided, he must settle things with his older brother one way or another.

“Brother, I’ll come with you soon to settle this.”

This was what his father wanted. The final test of succession.

Knowing his brother’s personality, this might be harder than killing Yalyulhan.

His brother was no match in martial arts now, and most Majon were on his side, which made it even tougher. Who knew what desperate moves his brother might try?

“If you’ve finished eating, be on your way.”

“May I enter the chamber, wear your pajamas, and sleep just one more hour? They’re so soft and comfortable, I don’t want to leave.”

Just as his father was about to speak, a Heavenly Demon soldier came in and reported,

“Duke Dok has returned.”

Hearing that, he bowed deeply and ran off.

He felt his father’s gaze on the back of his head—likely a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

Understood, Father. I will end the succession battle this time. I have my own path to follow.

The carriage carrying Duke Dok and Cheonhwaruju entered Cheonma Sin Gyo.

“Look over there!”

Seo Daeryong pointed to a huge statue of a demon.

“Look on the opposite side.”

On that side, statues wielded swords and dao, reenacting past Heavenly Demons and the Heavenly Demon Spirit.

“Impressive.”

Though he sounded admiring, Cheonhwaruju’s eyes didn’t see the statues.

Her heart raced wildly. Soon she would hear news of Duke Dok.

No news came during their journey. She didn’t know if he lived or died.

Dokwang said nothing about Soma’s fate; he didn’t comfort her with empty words.

Seo Daeryong sensed Dokwang was a very different person beneath his young appearance. The man who seemed to stare blankly at poisonous plants or dig in dirt was only a part of him.

The carriage passed through strict checkpoints to the main hall, where the guards were even more vigilant.

The group all disembarked.

Cheonhwaruju glanced around and fixed her gaze on one spot.

There, Geom Mugeuk was walking toward them.

Her heart nearly exploded. What news would he bring? Please, let Duke Dok be safe.

Geom Mugeuk approached and told her,

“Soma-nim is still under treatment.”

He spoke honestly.

“I did all I could. The healers at the main hall also did their best. Now it’s up to Soma-nim.”

Cheonhwaruju smiled brightly.

“Then I have no worries.”

She believed in Duke Dok as if he were the sky itself.

Hearing it from Geom Mugeuk gave her peace. If Geom Mugeuk tried his best, then truly he had.

“You must be tired after your journey. Please rest first. We will treat you as an honored guest until Soma-nim wakes.”

Cheonhwaruju bowed and thanked him. The soldiers accompanying her led her to a separate building.

After she left, Seo Daeryong ran to embrace Geom Mugeuk.

“Why are you so clingy?”

“I’m just glad to see you. Why dodge like that, even using your movement skill? Would you have done that if it was a warrior running here?”

Seo Daeryuk tried again, but Geom Mugeuk did not evade and allowed himself to be held.

“I was really worried this time.”

“Then you should have come sooner. When Yalyulhan trapped me with clones, you should have dealt with three of them.”

“Wait! He used clone technique too?”

“That’s not all. The sword-spirits shaped like demons attacked viciously.”

Seo Daeryong stepped back subtly.

“As you know, I’m suited to be an investigator. Don’t waste top admission on the wrong things!”

If he was going to say that, his eyes shouldn’t have been so sharp.

“I’ll go greet Master now.”

After Seo Daeryong left, only Dokwang remained—he purposely kept quiet to talk with Geom Mugeuk alone.

“Good work, Dokwang.”

“No hardship for me. You all worked hard.”

Dokwang asked Geom Mugeuk,

“Did you achieve what you sought in this fight?”

After a moment, Geom Mugeuk answered,

“Yes, I believe I did.”

Dokwang, staring deeply into Geom Mugeuk’s eyes, started walking toward the Heavenly Poison Forest and said,

“Come visit when you have time.”

Dangling from his waist was the Blood-Poison Heavenly Sleeping Robe gloves Geom Mugeuk had gifted him.

Finally, Duke Dok opened his eyes.

The distinct scent of medicine stung his nose, reminding him he was in the medical room.

His last memory was Geom Mugeuk’s back, running desperately, wondering how his body could feel so comfortable.

He checked inside himself—the battlefield within was calm. Though the war wasn’t over, at least there was a truce.

From his condition, he knew he had safely arrived at the main hall and been treated by the Ma-ui—only the Ma-ui could have healed him.

Slowly, Duke Dok sat up on the bed and looked toward Donggyeong. The white mask was still stained with the blood from battle; no one had dared touch it during treatment.

A sudden memory flashed—the moment he sensed death and tried to remove his mask, but Geom Mugeuk grabbed his arm.

“I won’t look at that face because you’re probably better looking than me!”

A smile crept across the masked Duke Dok’s lips.

Then someone entered.

“You’re awake?”

It was the Ma-ui.

Though knowing the Ma-ui had saved him, Duke Dok skipped greetings and asked about Geom Mugeuk first.

“How is Lee Gongja?”

“As a doctor, I’ve never seen such exhaustion. And he carried a Majon on his back…”

A hint of worry flashed in Duke Dok’s eyes.

The Ma-ui smiled.

“No need to worry. He’s now faster on the way back carrying the Majon.”

Duke Dok breathed easier.

“I heard Gongja slept for days. Well, he arrived before the dispatch, so he must have been exhausted.”

Faster than the dispatch? Yes, he remembered how desperately Geom Mugeuk had run, even sharing his energy to ease his own body. Duke Dok knew well how much qi that consumed.

Upon hearing of Geom Mugeuk, Duke Dok politely expressed his gratitude to the Ma-ui.

“Thank you for saving me. Sorry for the late thanks.”

The Ma-ui waved it off.

“You should thank no one but me.”

He bowed respectfully.

“Thank you for lifting the grudge I held in my lifetime.”

The son the Ma-ui had once thought of was now beginning to age.

“Now, dissolve the Mannyeonseolsam energy inside you. If Gongja hadn’t given it to you, ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) you wouldn’t be alive.”

This time Duke Dok recalled the moment Geom Mugeuk fed him the Mannyeonseolsam, and the desperate crying of Geom Mugeuk fearing his death.

Grateful beyond words, Duke Dok closed his eyes and began to dissolve the Mannyeonseolsam’s energy.

While Duke Dok cultivated, the Ma-ui sent word to Geom Mugeuk that Duke Dok had awakened.

When Duke Dok had completely absorbed the energy, the eyes behind his mask grew even colder and deeper.

A moment later, Geom Mugeuk, waiting outside, entered.

He spoke to Duke Dok, still masked.

“You look more lively today than usual.”

How he longed to hear such teasing from Geom Mugeuk! Seeing blood on the mask, Geom Mugeuk said,

“You even have a blush on your face.”

Duke Dok laughed out loud.

There was no need to say how much they were grateful to each other. Duke Dok’s words after nearly dying were enough.

“Let’s fight again sometime.”

“With pleasure.”

No more words were needed.

“By the way, an honored guest has arrived at the main hall.”

When Geom Mugeuk opened the door, the person waiting outside entered.

It was Cheonhwaruju. She had come all the way to the main Cheonma Sin Gyo, worried sick about Duke Dok. She had feared he might be somewhere he shouldn’t.

But the moment she saw Duke Dok, all those worries vanished. She realized there had never been a need to fret.

Seeing him made her happy enough.

What more reason was needed? No matter how angry Duke Dok might be, she thought she had come at the right time.

And Duke Dok was more than ready to meet her feelings.

“You’ve wanted to see my room for a long time, haven’t you?”