“Is the Pill Master of the Demon Sect behind the caravan raids?”

When a name that shouldn’t have been mentioned came up, Geom Mugeuk’s prayer turned cold.

“The Pill Master Ye has agreed to handle the aftermath so this matter doesn’t escalate.”

As the Honam Pill Master of Cheonma Sin Gyo, he was a figure with enough power in the region to make such a promise.

“Is there any proof of his involvement?”

“There is… no proof. He is not the type to leave evidence in such matters. I am the witness.”

The moment I-eom uttered Ye Sogwang’s name, he crossed a point of no return. He had to abandon Ye Sogwang and find a way to survive himself.

“If you’re fabricating accusations against the Pill Master?”

“Then you may kill me.”

Judging by his demeanor and those desperate eyes, he was telling the truth. In fact, it wasn’t such a shocking or surprising revelation.

When I first returned, it was easy to imagine the Demon Lord. He had been privately exploiting the demon army for wealth. Until now, the inner ranks were disciplined, but now it was time to police the outside as well.

“How did you learn about this caravan raid by Honam’s best caravan guild?”

“Among their caravan leaders, I have a man.”

“Who?”

“Yang Daenam.”

Once I-eom’s mouth opened, there was no hesitation.

“Let’s start with what was looted in this raid.”

“Please follow me.”

I-eom stood up. His body felt heavy. He realized his dantian internal energy was suppressed.

‘I was subdued without even realizing it.’

He immediately recognized that his opponent’s martial skill far exceeded that of an ordinary master. Killing Hyeolsugeom with a single strike using chopsticks wasn’t because Hyeolsugeom had been careless. Maybe even a small wooden skewer could have killed him.

“A master far stronger than Pill Master Ye.”

Not only was the skill exceptional, but there was no sign of fear toward Ye Sogwang. If Ye Sogwang was the Pill Master of the Demon Sect, a figure with great power, who exactly was this man?

I-eom moved a hidden mechanism in the bookshelf, and the wall rotated to reveal a secret room.

There were three fairly large chests filled with gold inside.

Seeing the loot they had taken, Geom Mugeuk was angry at both I-eom and Ye Sogwang. This incident was worse than a group of poor men attempting a robbery.

Both had already amassed wealth, and even without such acts, there were plenty of ways to earn money. Especially someone like Ye Sogwang, who likely received considerable bribes from various places.

Yet they still committed this crime?

Without showing his rising anger, Geom Mugeuk calmly asked,

“Did Hyeolsugeom do this alone?”

“Yang, the caravan leader, leaked their route in advance, making it easy. We set traps and launched an ambush.”

“That’s a dirty method.”

I-eom, who had been enthusiastically talking, suddenly stopped and eyed Geom Mugeuk.

“Why did you, with plenty of money, do such a thing?”

“......”

“No answer?”

“The more money, the better, isn’t it?”

“If it’s money you earned, maybe.”

I-eom couldn’t say a word and bowed his head deeply. Honestly, he wanted to say: In this world of eat or be eaten, isn’t the one robbed the fool? You think the same, don’t you? ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Hypocrite bastard! He wanted to shout that.

Geom Mugeuk left and ordered Jeok-yeon, who was waiting in the corridor,

“Summon the heads of Hwangcheongak and Tongcheongak here immediately!”

“Yes, understood!”

I-eom was startled upon hearing this. Having dealt with Ye Sogwang, he knew that Hwangcheongak and Tongcheongak were core organizations of the Demon Sect. Was it normal to summon their heads so casually?

At that moment, I-eom’s gaze drifted toward Jeok-yeon’s chest. At first, he had only seen a demon, but now he also noticed the shield surrounding the demon.

‘Could it be?’

He vaguely remembered hearing about this symbol once at a drinking party.

‘Cheonma Jeon’s Guard?’

I-eom’s eyes turned to Geom Mugeuk.

‘Then this person… c-could it be… the Little Pill Master of the Demon Sect? Ughhh!’

His heart sank. He had truly gotten himself into deep trouble.

His legs gave out and he collapsed flat on the floor.

“Please spare me! I did not know who you were.”

No matter how much he begged on the ground, Geom Mugeuk’s gaze remained cold.

Just as I-eom’s suspicion was confirmed, the demon troops from Hwangcheongak and Tongcheongak responsible for this area came rushing like the wind.

Geom Mugeuk handled the matter without hesitation.

He first explained the incident to the leaders. Since the Honam Pill Master was involved, their demon troops couldn’t be used, so Hwangcheongak and Tongcheongak had to step in.

After finishing the explanation, Geom Mugeuk gave orders to the special investigator of Hwangcheongak.

“First, return the looted caravan goods and Hyeolsugeom’s corpse to Honam Jeil Caravan Guild and explain the situation. Also, handle Yang Daenam, the caravan leader who leaked information.”

“Understood.”

I-eom nervously watched the process as Geom Mugeuk turned to him and said,

“And send this man to our headquarters’ prison.”

Trapped in Cheonma Sin Gyo’s prison? Darkness clouded I-eom’s vision.

“No! Please spare me!”

Geom Mugeuk asked calmly,

“Did you think you could commit such a serious crime and get away with it?”

“But I confessed everything.”

“Then why didn’t I kill you?”

I-eom was speechless. What he needed now was a bribe. But since the caravan goods had to be returned, that wouldn’t work either.

Geom Mugeuk gave a choice.

“Fine, choose. Do you want to go to our prison, or to Honam Jeil Caravan Guild?”

I-eom knew both choices meant death.

“Please spare me! I only planned it!”

“This isn’t your first time, is it?”

“It is.”

His voice trembled and he couldn’t meet Geom Mugeuk’s eyes.

It couldn’t be his first time. Even watching Hyeolsugeom cruelly kill the captives brought in, he did nothing. That alone spoke volumes about his life.

“Among the three, you’re the worst.”

Without hesitation, Geom Mugeuk threw a punch.

I-eom’s chest was crushed and he died instantly.

The thunderous sound from the blow startled everyone present, as if the heavens themselves were punishing.

Geom Mugeuk continued ordering.

“Dismantle Pungsusanjang, and distribute the money found there to the families of the deceased.”

“Understood.”

Though he cared for the families of the victims, there was another reason why this had to be done.

“Honam Jeil Caravan Guild is a righteous faction, right?”

“Yes.”

Each region had areas where Cheonma Sin Gyo’s influence was strong, and areas dominated by Murim Alliance or Satan Alliance. Naturally, the closer to the headquarters, the stronger the faction, and the further away, the weaker.

Honam Province was a stronghold of Cheonma Sin Gyo.

But not all martial factions there followed or supported the Demon Sect.

Though fewer in number, there were factions loyal to the righteous and heterodox schools alike. Honam had branches of the Murim Alliance and Satan Alliance as well.

“Notify the Murim Alliance to avoid misunderstandings. Tell them we will handle Ye Sogwang ourselves.”

Since Tongcheongak often liaised with Murim Alliance, they would handle it properly.

“Manage this village carefully for a while. My mother lives here.”

Jeok-yeon observed Geom Mugeuk’s brisk yet meticulous handling of the matter. She thought, the Little Pill Master really wasn’t just anyone.

After finishing, Geom Mugeuk went to the guest room and found Hwasun waiting.

“It’s all done. Let’s go. I want to eat the food my mother makes.”

Hwasun felt relieved. Geom Mugeuk’s bright expression showed the matter was resolved well. Her anxious heart finally settled.

“Of course, you should eat well.”

“Please speak more casually.”

“That’s impossible. This is comfortable, Gongja-nim.”

Even when leaving, the guard warriors formed a protective line around Hwasun.

When they reached the carriage, Geom Mugeuk said to Samho and Hwasun,

“Only you two ride in the carriage.”

Hwasun looked puzzled.

“To have a quiet talk with your son after a long time. Now, get in. We’re leaving.”

Geom Mugeuk took the driver’s seat. Samho objected, but one word—“It’s an order”—settled it.

The carriage carrying Hwasun and Samho started toward the village.

How long had they traveled?

Laughter from Hwasun came from the carriage cabin.

It was the most pleasant sound heard since leaving the sect.

Geom Mugeuk had no memories of his mother. She had died when he was very young. So on days like this, he missed her.

“Mother, your sons are living without fighting.”

The succession battle that hadn’t spilled blood was for his late mother’s sake.

When the carriage arrived at Hwasun’s inn, she finally felt the relief of returning safely.

Geom Mugeuk treated her warmly like a mother.

“Mother, we’re hungry!”

Hwasun rolled up her sleeves and headed to the kitchen.

Geom Mugeuk and the guards enjoyed their mother’s home-cooked meal after a long time. Her cooking was truly delicious.

Seeing her son eating with his comrades made Hwasun very happy.

The scene reminded her of when he was a small kid who used to come with neighborhood friends to eat together.

“When did you grow up so much?”

The little boy had grown into a man, eating with his comrades. Her heart swelled with pride and emotion.

After finishing his bowl, Geom Mugeuk said to her,

“I want to bring you to the headquarters to eat your meals every day.”

She felt relieved. With such a good superior, she no longer worried about her son.

She brought more food and side dishes.

“Gongja-nim, please have an extra bowl! I added more meat.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly.

“I’ll cherish your son the most among all others!”

She laughed at Geom Mugeuk’s joke, and so did the guards.

Hwasun sincerely thanked Geom Mugeuk. Though she didn’t know the details of how the matter at the mountain villa was resolved, she felt it was thanks to him.

“Thank you, Gongja.”

Geom Mugeuk’s group stayed four more days.

Originally, they were to leave the next day, but wanting to give Hwasun and Samho more time after three years apart, they delayed.

Samho was able to show his filial piety to the fullest.

On the third day, he took his mother to a nearby temple. They ate delicious food on the way and admired the scenery. Samho carried his aching mother on his back.

When Samho asked if she would live in Maga Village, she shook her head. She didn’t want to be a burden or leave her lifelong home.

After four days, the group said a reluctant farewell to Hwasun and headed toward the Honam Pill Master’s territory.

During a short break, Samho approached Geom Mugeuk.

“I heard you ordered special management of the home village.”

Jeok-yeon must have told him.

“Of course. I’ll visit my mother more often. That’s an order, too.”

Samho realized how thoughtless he’d been toward his mother, excusing himself with busyness.

“Thank you very much. I will never forget the kindness you showed.”

“Thanks to you, I had plenty of your mother’s delicious food. I’m the one who should be grateful.”

When the rest period ended, Jeok-yeon sat at the driver’s seat himself.

“I’ll drive as fast as possible.”

“Take it slow. There’s no hurry.”

Jeok-yeon asked with a puzzled look,

“Shouldn’t we hurry?”

“Why?”

“If he realizes his corruption has been exposed, won’t he run away?”

That was unlikely. The handling by Hwangcheongak and Tongcheongak was thorough. Nothing would be known before they arrived.

“Is it true that you’re stepping down from Pill Master? It’s unlikely, but if so, that’ll be punishment enough. He’ll live his life full of regret and lamentation. But I don’t think that will happen.”

I-eom said Ye Sogwang left no evidence. There was no reason to run away out of fear.

“Everyone is greedy, so they can’t escape the lump of avarice.”

The carriage leisurely rode toward the Cheonma Sin Gyo Honam Pill Master’s base.

Ye Sogwang stared out the window.

He looked relaxed and friendly, hardly like a demon.

“Still no contact from this Jangju?”

Ye Sogwang’s subordinate, Hwangpyo, answered,

“None yet.”

They should have heard by now that the goods were sent, but I-eom remained silent.

“Could it be he’s changed his mind?”

Ye Sogwang firmly shook his head.

“He’s not that kind of man.”

Besides, the sword used was Hyeolsugeom. That greedy bastard was used as well, just in case. It was not easy to face him, so he wouldn’t dare change his mind.

“What about the Little Pill Master?”

“He’s delayed beyond schedule.”

“He wants to play a power game. Learned mischief from a young age.”

“Have you heard the rumors? This new successor, Lee Gongja, is said to be extraordinary.”

“Of course he would be.”

Still, Ye Sogwang was calm.

“But after all...”

He was still a passionate young man. No matter how much he tried to hide it, youthful recklessness was inevitable. They planned to gently melt him with sweet words.

They would show him clearly how one rises from a common martial artist to Pill Master.

“So, come quickly, Little Pill Master.”