Cheonhwaruju was deeply moved.

Geugak Soma didn’t get angry; instead, she said something she had longed to hear.

“Yes, brother, I really want to see your room.”

She struggled to hold back tears. Though she had endured countless hardships as the mistress of Cheonhwa, she had never cried before. But just that one sentence from Geugak Soma almost brought tears to her eyes.

She felt that the relationship she had built with Geugak Soma, their affection, was completed in this moment.

They had never spoken about love even once, yet Soma’s words just now sounded like a declaration of love to her. He had only said he would show her his room.

Cheonhwaruju spoke to Geom Mugeuk.

“Thank you, Master Lee.”

While waiting for Geugak Soma to wake, she had heard from Seodaeryong that Geom Mugeuk had carried Geugak Soma a long distance. Moreover, he had even given up the Millennial Snow Ginseng that any warrior would want.

“I only carried her on my back. The thanks should be given to the doctor, not me.”

Cheonhwaruju also expressed gratitude to the doctor.

“Thank you, Doctor Uiseon.”

“No need, madam. Majon is so robust that nothing serious happened; no thanks are needed for me. I will send the medicine you will need from Akingok, so you two can leave now.”

Thus, Geugak Soma and Cheonhwaruju left the medical room first.

The doctor looked at them and thought of his wife. ‘We had times like that too,’ he thought.

Surprisingly, despite thinking of his wife, he felt calmer than before.

The doctor said to Geom Mugeuk.

“I once wondered if I would feel emptiness after revenge was done.”

“Emptiness?”

The doctor firmly shook his head.

“Not at all. My heart feels so calm and good. I wonder if it’s okay to feel like this.”

“You should feel even more delighted.”

“Could you spare a moment? There’s something I want to show you.”

The doctor led Geom Mugeuk to his quarters. Passing through a secret door, he guided him to a place he had shown before.

That place, which had once been a recreated version of his old home, had now changed.

It was turned into a study with bookshelves all around, a comfortable place to sit and read. He was changing to live a new life.

“Oh, the atmosphere is nice. Elder Doma also loved books very much.”

“I know. I often discuss books with that friend.”

For the doctor, his only friend was Hyeolcheon Doma.

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk noticed some wood and tools placed in a corner.

“What’s that?”

Not only wood but tools for carving and shaping were there.

“My father was a carpenter. When I think of him, I remember him carving wood in the yard. Now I want to try it as a hobby.”

The doctor sighed lightly and added,

“I am the worst unfilial son. Now that my son is settled in my heart, only now do I start thinking of my father.”

“Your father must have felt the same.”

The two exchanged pleasant smiles.

Geom Mugeuk was thankful. He was grateful that the doctor was trying to change, and above all, that he showed this changed side of ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) himself.

“Because of you, I’m becoming happy like this.”

That’s what the doctor was saying now. Yes, he had to say it. Because only if he said it could he truly know. If not said, one wouldn’t know.

Thank you, Doctor.

You made me feel that risking my life was worth it.

And please, be happy.

Cheonhwaruju was experiencing walking inside the cult’s courtyard for the first time since she was born.

The demons they met bowed politely to Geugak Soma.

They were all fierce-looking demons. These terrifying demons who could overturn the martial world upon appearing were greeting Geugak Soma as gently as a newlywed bride.

She whispered softly so only Soma could hear.

“I forgot what kind of person our brother is. He is such a great man.”

Since Soma was a man, it was not an unwelcome compliment.

“I think I should hang a brother mask in front of Cheonhwa from now on. Hey you guys, try coming here drunk and making a scene!”

At her joke, Geugak Soma only smiled silently with a teasing glance. Being a man of few words, Soma’s silence did not bother her at all.

“I’m so nervous right now. That building is really unusual. Are there warriors lying in ambush there?” She added one last thing after chatting about everything.

“Sorry for coming without permission.”

She had just listened to others talking, but Soma answered this.

“It’s alright.”

Then he added a line he would never normally say.

“I wanted to bring you here at least once someday.”

Since Soma was normally so quiet, each of these words moved her deeply.

Meanwhile, they arrived at Akingok.

Cheonhwaruju was startled by the sight at the entrance.

Countless mu-myeong-gak (masked warriors) were lined up.

They had gathered on hearing that Geugak Soma had recovered from injuries and was returning. All wore white masks, and every mask was smiling. It was a frightening yet magnificent sight.

She learned today for the first time that Soma had so many followers.

When the two passed by, the nearby mu-myeong-gak bowed their heads. Their salutations continued like a wave. They warmly welcomed Soma’s safe return.

Cheonhwaruju felt both fear and excitement. The gazes toward her combined respect as the leader’s woman and curiosity.

It was the first time Soma had brought a woman to Akingok.

From this moment, she felt that her fate and relationship with Soma would change.

Cheonhwaruju whispered and asked.

“But how do you recognize each other? They’re all wearing masks like that.”

“You can’t recognize them, but we all recognize each other.”

“How fascinating.”

Hearing that, she noticed the masks each had slightly different shapes—unique patterns and various colors painted on them.

After walking for a long time, they arrived at their quarters.

Entering Geugak Soma’s room, Cheonhwaruju was surprised. She hadn’t expected a room with pure white walls all around.

She touched a white wall and said,

“It’s such a clean room.”

“You will find it uncomfortable to stay here.”

She could endure anything as long as she was with Geugak Soma, but seeing a room without any furniture somehow made her heart ache.

“Do you sleep here?”

She hadn’t expected it, but Soma nodded.

“There is no bed.”

“I see!”

Soma liked lying on her lap. To think that he lived like this in the cult—she had thought he would sleep on a large, splendid bed.

Then Soma unexpectedly said,

“Why don’t you take this chance to seriously pursue your dream?”

Cheonhwaruju was surprised by those words. Her dream was to become the Queen of the Night, to build her own pavilions all across Central Plains.

“Now that Yeobulgae is dead and there is a power vacuum, this is the opportunity.”

Soma meant he would back her up. It was certainly a chance. And Cheonhwaruju was not the kind of woman to miss such an opportunity.

“Yes, I’ll try.”

The two nodded to each other. She knew Soma was strict and rational when it came to work.

Cheonhwaruju achieving her dream would also greatly help Soma.

To rule the night meant to control information. Secrets always lose power in front of alcohol and beauties.

Cheonhwaruju then asked about the line drawn on the wall.

“What is that line?”

It was a line drawn together with Geom Mugeuk. Since it was the only noticeable thing in the white room, she had been wanting to ask from the start.

“It’s my life line.”

It was an answer she could never understand, but the look in Soma’s eyes while gazing at the line was the happiest she had ever seen.

Cheonhwaruju stood side by side next to Soma and rested her head on his shoulder.

“So that’s why it’s drawn so wonderfully.”

When they returned to their quarters, Ian was waiting in the yard.

“What are you doing here?”

“What do you mean? I was waiting for the sleepy young master.”

“When did you know I would come?”

“I planned to wait until you arrived.”

She had heard from the doctor that she had cried bitterly when he fell asleep in the medical room. It was obvious from her face how much she had worried and why she was here now.

“Have you been starving? Your face looks pale.”

Moreover, her eyes were swollen as if she had cried again after.

“I thought you got prettier, but you’re back to being ugly.”

“I have lived well even being a hundred times uglier.”

“Let’s go; I’ll buy you something delicious. Today we’ll empty the tavern in Maga Village!”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me while we go. I’m hungry.”

Walking ahead, Ian followed behind.

She, who had been trailing like a shadow, suddenly said,

“From now on, please take me everywhere. I’m going to be your bodyguard again.”

I kept walking and answered,

“Okay.”

“I’m serious, not joking.”

“I know.”

Since I answered so easily, Ian dashed up and stared at my face.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Just as she was about to jump with joy, she suddenly asked hesitantly,

“There must be conditions, right?”

“Of course.”

“What conditions?”

“When you achieve the Twelve Star Great Perfection of the Bi-Cheon Sword Technique, I will protect you.”

Ian made a disappointed expression and said, “I haven’t even achieved Great Perfection yet. When am I supposed to achieve the Twelve Star Great Perfection? I might never reach it until I die old.”

“Or I’ll have to carry you on my back too, right?”

“!”

Knowing well what that meant, she could no longer insist stubbornly. If Geugak Soma was in a life-threatening situation, even achieving the Twelve Star Great Perfection might not help.

“Stop getting stronger so much!”

“I will get stronger! That’s the right answer, Master Guiyoung!”

Thus, we arrived at Maga Village’s tavern.

“Master Lee, long time no see!”

Jo Chunbae greeted me as usual.

“Owner, have you been well?”

“As always. I heard you’ve been very busy lately.”

“Even in that busy time, I missed your cooking. Please make all my favorites.”

Leaving the excited Chunbae heading to the kitchen, I went up to our table on the second floor.

“Did you know? The owner always keeps this seat empty.”

“For us?”

“Yes. So whenever we come, we can sit here.”

“We come sometimes; why go that far? It must cause losses.”

“No, it’s rumored this is where the cult leader and Majon sat, so the customers who come to see it have increased business.”

Ian whispered.

“Did the owner plan that?”

“Being such a savvy fellow, maybe.”

Ian and I laughed at the same time. Her worried face and her bright smile were so different it was like she was a different person.

Anyway, seeing Ian smile like that made me realize I had truly returned to the cult.

“How is the Guiyoungdae work going?”

“Cheongmyeon is meeting with several people. They say there are trustworthy ones. The work is progressing well, so I’m very worried.”

“About what?”

“You’ve hardly met people as the great master. The only person you knew was the young master. Can I really act properly as the great master?”

“You dealt with me; who can’t you handle?”

“Ah, so that’s how it goes again?”

At that moment, Jo Chunbae came up with drinks and side dishes.

“Master Lee, have a drink after a long time.”

“No, you two talk.”

As always, Chunbae declined, but I pulled his sleeve and made him sit.

“Just one drink.”

“Oh, this is wrong, but thank you, Master Lee.”

Chunbae accepted my drink.

“This seat has become a famous spot?”

“Somehow it has. It’s all thanks to you, Master Lee.”

“Next time, when my father or Majon come, I’ll tell them to leave marks of their martial arts on the walls.”

“Marks of martial arts?”

“So the visitors have something to see. And next to the marks left by my father, Geugak Soma would drill holes with blood arrow technique. On this table, I’ll ask Elder Doma to write a poem.”

Chunbae waved his hands, saying it was impossible.

“How could I ask such honored people? And if that happened, I wouldn’t sleep worrying someone might tear down the wall or damage the table. Now, enjoy your meal.”

Chunbae hurriedly left the table. Though he said it was impossible, the smile on his face going down to the first floor showed he enjoyed just imagining it.

I whispered to Ian.

“If you don’t understand human relationships well, ask the owner here. No one knows human relationships better than Jo Chunbae, who has seen all sorts of people.”

“I will.”

Ian and I drank and ate. Chunbae’s cooking, which I had missed so much, tasted wonderful.

“Go out with Cheongmyeon. Go meet the old soldier and the Pungcheon cult leader. Find the warriors to recruit for Guiyoungdae.”

It was time to release her from the greenhouse.

“And soon, Father will select his successor.”

Ian was surprised at my words. She knew better than anyone how important this was for my life and how much I cared about it.

“Do you have a plan?”

“I have something in mind. Not sure if it will go as intended, though.”

“What kind of plan?”

“If I had to name it…”

I emptied my cup and said,

“Probably the Golden Great Operation.”