Mabul’s residence was a vast temple called the Golden Immortal Temple (Hwanggeum Bulsa).

It consisted of dozens of large and small buildings, most of them painted gold. The pagodas scattered throughout also shimmered with golden light.

The Four Heavenly Kings statue placed at the entrance to ward off evil spirits looked different from those in ordinary temples. It was terrifying—like a demon itself.

In the temple’s center stood a giant golden Buddha statue. It was as massive as the huge stone statues throughout Cheonma Sin Gyo. It was said that when Mabul mastered the Golden Great Dharma Technique to its peak and unleashed his martial arts, the golden Buddha would appear and vanish.

Monks belonging to the cult were called “Majong” (demon monks), but the monks of the Golden Immortal Temple were called “Gwangseung” (mad monks), using the character for madness (狂).

When I announced my arrival, a massive Gwangseung came to greet me.

“I will guide you.”

I knew who this was: Daegwang (Great Madman), Mabul’s right-hand man—great in stature and madness.

He was the kind of person who could suddenly lunge at me and choke me with that prayer bead necklace without hesitation.

His large frame standing beside Mabul made Mabul look even smaller. Yet Mabul chose such a large figure as his right arm.

I thought maybe he chose Daegwang to show he had no inferiority complex about his small stature.

Passing Gwangseung monks greeted me with palms pressed together. I heard my popularity had risen quite a bit here among these mad monks since I barked in the training grounds. Of course, since Mabul was a fervent supporter of my brother, they officially backed him as well.

Mabul was chanting sutras in the great hall.

I was so used to seeing him always with my brother, but now seeing him in monk’s robes chanting sutras felt very strange.

What reassured me that this was still Mabul was the golden Buddha behind him, much scarier than a normal Buddha statue.

After paying respects to the statue, I quietly sat behind Mabul.

He showed no sign of ending the chanting, so I closed my eyes silently and practiced Cheonma Hoshingong. Recently, my martial training focused on two arts: Cheonma Hoshingong when being cautious of surroundings, and Sicheonbisul when alone.

Though all the martial arts I’ve learned are important, these two are especially critical.

Cheonma Hoshingong was like a second life, and Sicheonbisul was the key to timely achieving the Great Perfection of Guhwa Magong—perhaps now the second most important martial art after Guhwa Magong.

Unfortunately, Sicheonbisul’s incantations were still under study, making it difficult to perform.

After some time, Mabul’s chanting grew louder, and dark energy began swirling around me. Naturally, Cheonma Hoshingong activated to protect my body.

I heard chanting in my head and then saw a vision:

In pitch-black darkness,

A golden radiance appeared far off and began walking toward me.

It was Mabul. In this vision, he was tall.

He came up to me and stopped. I saw his flustered face.

Mabul reached out his hand, but it was pushed away—there was an invisible transparent barrier between us, preventing his hand from crossing. It seemed Mabul could not see me beyond the barrier.

I understood that Mabul had tried to read my mind by invading it with the Golden Great Dharma Technique but was blocked by Cheonma Hoshingong, which I had learned alongside Guhwa Magong. These arts were absolute martial techniques superior to any magic.

Mabul looked troubled and then walked back into the darkness. The golden light faded into the gloom.

Why would he reveal himself so openly, standing tall before me?

Maybe for this brief moment, I was the one who looked into his mind.

The chanting in my head gradually quieted and then stopped.

When I opened my eyes, Mabul had turned his back to me.

He looked bewildered that his martial technique had failed.

Yet soon, as if nothing had happened, Mabul pressed his palms together and said,

“Crown Prince, I’m glad you returned safely this time.”

“Thanks to your concern.”

I pressed my palms together in return.

“But wouldn’t it have been better if I hadn’t returned safely?”

Mabul slowly rolled his prayer beads and said,

“The Buddha said all life is precious.”

It was surprising to hear the value of life from someone whose prayer beads looked like they could fly at me like a missile.

My gaze naturally shifted toward the golden Buddha behind him. Looking at the Buddhist painting behind the statue, I said,

“But over there, Majong are ripping people apart.”

Mabul’s lips twitched slightly at my unexpected comment. He was barely suppressing a derisive laugh.

“Why have you come to me? If you wish to enter Buddhism, I will personally shave your head. That would be good. There would be no bloodshed between brothers as you desire.”

“I like to have fun, so I’d be immediately expelled. My brother is steady and taciturn, so he suits that better. His head shape is prettier too.”

Though the words were exchanged like jokes, we were engaged in a tense power struggle.

“The reason I came today is…”

I paused before telling him,

“It’s because of the Golden Great Operation.”

By telling him the operation’s name, I officially started it.

Mabul asked suspiciously,

“Golden Great Operation? What’s that?”

“It’s a plan to make Mabul my man. Today is the first day.”

Eventually, Mabul couldn’t hold back laughter.

“I must admit you’re truly a unique person. I admit it, I admit it.”

“You once called me crazy, but I’ve improved too.”

Suddenly, Mabul stopped laughing and said,

“Don’t underestimate the Crown Prince. He will be the successor.”

“When I went to see Majon, I should have visited the elder first. Then the Majon would be saying somewhere, ‘Don’t underestimate the Crown Prince. He will be the successor.’”

Mabul snorted,

“Do you think they switched to your side because of that?”

“What do you think?”

“No chance.”

Seeing his unwavering loyalty to my brother, the first impression of him as a greedy political animal grasping for power felt pitiful enough for him to be misunderstood.

“Why do you like my brother so much?”

“Your brother…”

He seemed to have a reason but didn’t say it. I thought I’d only hear that reason once Mabul became mine.

“I think the Crown Prince is better suited for Cheonma.”

I silently nodded.

“So you agree?”

“I admit there are things my brother does more thoroughly.”

“Then yield.”

Instead of answering, I asked him,

“Is dealing with my brother difficult?”

“Trying to sow discord between me and the Crown Prince? Won’t work.”

“As I said before, Mabul, you are a little giant. Having you is my brother’s greatest luck. Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me?”

Mabul gave me a suspicious look. Knowing he wouldn’t easily open up, I calmly conveyed my feelings.

“I told you before I plan to end the killing among successors in this generation. My brother is proud and hard to control, so I hoped the elder would help. Do you remember?”

“I remember.”

“I think my brother hasn’t run wild so far thanks to you.”

“You said if the Crown Prince ran wild, you’d pour oil on the fire and urge him to destroy everything. So why do you think I stop the Crown Prince?”

I looked him in the eyes and said calmly,

“You know my brother better than anyone. Without you by his side, he wouldn’t have endured this long.”

I meant it sincerely. Regardless of whether I could win Mabul over, I was truly grateful to him for steadfastly standing by my brother until I came.

“I will take my leave now.”

I bowed respectfully.

Mabul silently turned around and resumed chanting.

Talking with him made me realize:

Though he is the smallest in stature, he is the hardest person to gain.

From now, it begins.

The next day, I greeted Mabul as he left the ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) Golden Immortal Temple.

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“Will you join me?”

I expected refusal but he accepted readily.

“Very well.”

Surprised, I asked,

“Why so easily?”

“I think you have a misconception. I’m a very mild and merciful person.”

Mild and merciful? Saying such shameless things so calmly.

“Good. I planned to follow you around every day.”

Mabul took the lead and I followed.

“What do you like? Just say it!”

Passing Majon glanced at us. Is Mabul really socializing with the Crown Prince now? Their looks held that question.

But Mabul paid no mind. Before, it would have been uncomfortable with rumors reaching my brother.

His resolute expression and steady walk showed he had changed.

That evening, I visited Hyeolcheon Doma again.

Seodaeryong was receiving martial arts training after finishing his work.

He was always the busiest person, juggling duties at Hwangcheongak and martial training.

“I’ll wait in the room.”

“Why come again?”

“Because I said I’d train here until I find the answer.”

Hyeolcheon Doma shouted,

“Don’t go to bed without washing!”

“It’s not like a woman’s bed, so aren’t you being too clean?”

Seodaeryong stepped in for his master and raised his voice,

“Who said a woman’s not coming?”

Hyeolcheon Doma and I looked at Seodaeryong. He flinched most at those words.

“Don’t disrespect our master!”

A heavy silence followed.

I gave a look: Daryong, this isn’t right!

Seodaeryong responded with a look: Master, what do we do?

I sighed with a look, and Seodaeryong quieted.

“…So don’t disrespect him.”

Eventually, Seodaeryong bowed deeply.

“I’ll prepare hellish training from tomorrow.”

Hyeolcheon Doma said quietly,

“Tomorrow? It starts now!”

Seodaeryong’s training ended late at night.

After sending off the disciple, Hyeolcheon Doma came into the room. I had been reading—not a martial arts manual, but a regular book—for the first time in a long while.

“Teaching so late?”

Hyeolcheon Doma nodded.

“He’s smart, so teaching is rewarding.”

“He’s the top of Hwangcheongak’s entrance, isn’t he?”

Hyeolcheon Doma sat by the window and asked,

“But why is the one who should be planning the grand operation here?”

“I told you, when life is in crisis, only the elder comes to mind.”

“Not easy, huh?”

“Impenetrable. His loyalty is tightly bound. Like the relationship between you and me.”

“Then one Millennial Snow Ginseng solves it, right?”

I sighed, pretending not to hear.

“Not that easy.”

Hyeolcheon Doma smiled and told a story.

“I once drank with Mabul at the tavern. I asked him the same thing: It’s not easy, huh?”

“And?”

“Mabul said it’s not easy for him either. It’s funny to see you two say it in front of me.”

I pictured the two drinking.

Mabul must have been very frustrated then. Just seeing him drink with Hyeolcheon Doma said enough.

Behind that resolute look I see now hides Mabul’s confession of hardship to Hyeolcheon Doma.

Leaning against the window, looking at the moon, I repeated once more,

“It really isn’t easy.”

Winning people’s hearts is among the hardest things. Even with all my experience with Majon, human relationships always feel as hard as the first time.

Hyeolcheon Doma looked up with me.

“Becoming Cheonma’s successor, how could it be easy?”

His words comforted me.

Then suddenly, Hyeolcheon Doma said,

“Mugeuk.”

I was startled. It was the first time he called me by name.

I looked at him nervously. Hyeolcheon Doma kept gazing at the moon calmly.

“I know you’ve worked hard to win the hearts of us old men. It’s okay to rest when you’re tired.”

I looked at Hyeolcheon Doma gratefully. The person who used to poke me disapprovingly had now become my refuge.

“What would I do without the elder?” I joked, but Hyeolcheon Doma beat me to it.

“You wouldn’t survive without me.”

He smiled at me. I smiled brightly back.

“Thank you. I will rest a bit too…”

At that moment, a thought flashed through my mind: If I’m having a hard time, Mabul must be too. Though he doesn’t show it, his heart must be as anxious as mine.

Now, Mabul’s best option is to persuade me. His willingness to dine peacefully with me today must be for that reason.

“I was impatient. Now isn’t the time to push hard, but to gently pull him to my side.”

The first detailed plan of the Golden Great Operation was finally set.