Geom Mugeuk strode confidently into the Honam Pill Master’s territory, flanked by his guards on both sides.

Ye Sogwang, likewise surrounded by his subordinates, came out to greet the Little Pill Master.

The demon troops lined up on both sides shouted loudly,

“We welcome the Little Pill Master!”

Ye Sogwang stepped forward to greet Geom Mugeuk. It was his first time seeing him today.

‘He’s truly handsome.’

Not just handsome, but strikingly so, with a confident gleam in his eyes. That was good — people who were either proud or deeply insecure were easier to manipulate.

Ye Sogwang was especially adept with the proud. He had a knack for catering to their moods better than anyone else, which helped him rise to Pill Master.

“It is an honor to meet you, Little Pill Master.”

Ye Sogwang bowed deeply. His waist was as flexible as his lifelong political skill.

Geom Mugeuk stared steadily at Ye Sogwang.

“You have a very good impression.”

“I hear that sometimes.”

“They say if you meet a face like yours in the martial world, you should be careful?”

Though Geom Mugeuk provoked from the start, Ye Sogwang smiled.

“That’s right. Others should be wary. But there are only two in the martial world exempted from that — one is the Little Pill Master. Now, please come inside.”

Ye Sogwang led Geom Mugeuk into the great hall.

A banquet was prepared there.

As Geom Mugeuk entered, musicians began playing and dancers performed. The captives started heating and serving dishes.

“Please take the seat of honor.”

Usually, esteemed guests rested the first day and held the banquet the next evening, but not this time. As Little Pill Master, he would have come comfortably anyway, and was still young.

They wanted to show from the start: life with the Honam Pill Master would be enjoyable. If tired, he could rest and resume tomorrow. Ye Sogwang was confident no one in the martial world entertained guests better.

Geom Mugeuk sat at the seat of honor, and Ye Sogwang took the seat beside him.

Then Jeok-yeon withdrew silver needles, testing each dish for poison. Other guards stood around Geom Mugeuk, a short distance in all directions.

Watching them, Geom Mugeuk smiled. When alone, they seemed like kids, but among others, their aura was unmistakably different—exceptional.

“Your guards are young.”

“They’re young, but being chosen to guard the Little Pill Master means their skills are excellent. They would fit in any elite group at headquarters.”

Geom Mugeuk spoke loudly for the guards to hear.

Ye Sogwang misread it.

‘Typical youthful bravado.’

But he didn’t know Geom Mugeuk was genuinely praising to boost their pride.

“Each one’s aura is extraordinary.”

Ye Sogwang matched Geom Mugeuk’s compliment.

This time Geom Mugeuk made a polite remark.

“Honam Pill Master’s territory is a strategic base of headquarters to check the Murim Alliance, isn’t it? Visiting here first instead of other territories is for that reason.”

“You’ve entrusted a heavy mission to an unworthy person, so my shoulders feel heavy.”

“Better that it’s heavy than not heavy at all.”

Despite the meaningful words, Ye Sogwang was unshaken.

“I serve the sect with loyalty alone.”

“Exactly! Headquarters trusts Pill Master Ye well. Let’s drink.”

After their toast, they drank.

Setting down the cup, Ye Sogwang said quietly,

“Your fame has resounded strongly even to Honam.”

“What kind of rumors?”

“That you’re the best talent among all successors.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled pleased.

“Also, you’re extremely handsome. Among the later generation in the martial world, I dare say you’re the most handsome.”

“Our Pill Master Ye is painting gold on a plain face.”

“I speak sincerely. Ask my subordinates. I am not one to lie.”

Ye Sogwang summoned his right hand, Hwangpyo, and asked,

“What do you think?”

“Not just the later generation, but the most handsome in all martial artists.”

Ye Sogwang laughed loudly.

“I made a mistake. Not the later generation, but all martial artists.”

This had happened many times before. Ye Sogwang praised, Hwangpyo gave an even greater compliment, they laughed and repeated praise.

It was their way of entertaining guests. Complimenting looks was the most effective praise, especially for someone so young.

Geom Mugeuk smiled happily.

Ye Sogwang thought the smile was because of the compliments, but Geom Mugeuk smiled for another reason.

“So this is how it feels. Everyone must feel good.”

“What do you mean?”

“Never mind. Another drink.”

“Agreed. To the birth of a new martial hero!”

Ye Sogwang welcomed Geom Mugeuk’s words and eagerly agreed. He admitted he hadn’t thought of it that way and raised Geom Mugeuk up. He was truly an expert at humbling himself.

Ye Sogwang flattered well, but he did not realize that the one smiling at his flattery was the very master of flattery himself.

“To our Pill Master Ye, a drink!”

Hearing himself called “our,” Ye Sogwang secretly smiled.

It was time to add the finishing touch to the banquet.

As the mood warmed, Ye Sogwang beckoned a woman over.

She was one of the dancers who had performed earlier—noticeably beautiful.

Ye Sogwang introduced her.

“When the Little Pill Master arrived, she insisted on greeting you. If it’s not rude, please pour her a drink.”

The woman approached and respectfully greeted Geom Mugeuk.

“My name is Yakran (藥蘭).”

She was beautiful. So stunningly attractive that no man could resist if she meant to seduce.

Yakran picked up a wine bottle.

“I offer a drink to the honorable guest.”

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk suddenly stood and lifted her into his arms. Everyone was shocked by the sudden move.

“Drink later. Pill Master Ye, wait there.”

Holding her, Geom Mugeuk dashed outside the hall. The guards hurried after them, flustered.

Ye Sogwang was also taken aback but shouted,

“Surely heroes love beauties! The chambers are outside to the left building!”

Ye Sogwang laughed at how smoothly things were going.

‘Wine and beauties, they always work well.’

He hadn’t expected it to be this fiery and easy.

Meanwhile, Yakran was very surprised.

At first, startled by the Little Pill Master’s sudden act, then amazed as she felt herself floating through the air on the way to the chamber. Though he held her, he hadn’t touched her body.

Inside the room, the unexpected continued.

When rushing in, it seemed he might toss her on the bed, but Geom Mugeuk gently seated her on a chair. Or rather, an invisible energy had seated her.

She noticed something — it wasn’t the Pill Master’s handsome face that caught her eye, but his gaze. So clear and bright, staring at her. Could a demon’s eyes be so pure?

In a voice as gentle as his gaze, Geom Mugeuk said,

“Do you know who I am?”

“Yes.”

Though soft-spoken, her voice trembled from the overwhelming atmosphere.

“How many times has this happened?”

“What do you mean?”

“Ye Sogwang must have forced hospitality like this before, right?”

Yakran was shocked — both that he had noticed, and that the Pill Master was digging into Ye Sogwang’s affairs.

Fear crept in. Being caught in a power struggle meant death.

“I can’t open my mouth even in my position.”

Who would dare refuse to answer?

“No. But if Ye Pill Master finds out what I said… he’ll kill my family back home.”

“He threatened to kill your family?”

“Yes.”

“How did that make you feel?”

“Afraid. And angry.”

Was it because the interrogator was the strict Little Pill Master? Or because of that deep, probing gaze? Her difficult answer came easily.

“Yes, you should be angry. It is right to be angry at someone who threatens your family.”

Since childhood, Ye Sogwang had threatened her: come when called, serve drinks, even forced her to bed.

But she couldn’t refuse.

Ye Sogwang held her family’s lives as ransom: her sick father, younger siblings, hard-working mother.

He threatened and brainwashed the young girl: that was how the world worked. If you stuck to power, you could earn more. If you sent more medicine money, you could save your father.

She hated it. Serving drinks to strangers was torment. She’d contemplated suicide, but could not, because of her family.

She begged Ye Sogwang to stop, but a pure child was no match.

Having heard her story, Geom Mugeuk approached and quietly said,

“Sorry I came too late.”

At that moment, something welled up deep in her heart. Tears spilled over. She thought there was no more to cry, but once they started, they kept coming.

She tried to stop but couldn’t. She wanted to shout at Geom Mugeuk: why did you come now? Why did you come now?

If she had been a child, she would have shouted.

But that child was gone.

“...I’m sorry.”

She was a victim, yet the only thing she could do was apologize.

Then her head lifted on its own and a soft energy began to envelop her.

The gentle energy soothed her heart.

Perhaps because of that, she found courage to ask what had long troubled her.

“Why did you think I was dragged out against my will?”

She had introduced herself as a dancer who wanted to see the Little Pill Master.

“Because of the look you gave me when you came forward.”

“The look in my eyes?”

“Yes. I saw the anger in them.”

She was shocked. She thought [N O V E L I G H T] he looked gently, but he read the heart behind her gaze?

“My right hand also looked at me with those eyes at first. She was angry and defeated, thinking the organization would never change.”

Yakran was no longer trembling with fear.

“What will happen to me if I don’t talk about Ye Pill Master?”

“I’ll let you go.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ll find other ways. He’s crooked, so we’ll find proof to make him pay.”

Yakran hesitated, and Geom Mugeuk stood.

“Forget this conversation and act as if nothing happened. I will make sure he pays.”

As Geom Mugeuk turned to leave, she spoke.

“Wait.”

He looked back. She asked,

“The one who had the same eyes as me — what happened to him?”

“He rose to lead Hwangcheongak. It’s the place punishing those who’ve given up their humanity.”

Yakran’s pupils trembled. After a moment, she said something surprising.

“Wait, if you leave now, people will doubt the Little Pill Master’s virility.”

Geom Mugeuk’s eyes opened wide. Such a joke was not expected and not to be taken lightly.

“You’re the first woman to safeguard the most important reputation of the Little Pill Master of Cheonma Sin Gyo.”

Geom Mugeuk joked, and Yakran laughed.

“My dream was to die dancing on stage, but I might die doing crazy things like this.”

She walked to the table and began writing names with paper and brush. She wrote recent names, including some Geom Mugeuk would know.

Hyeolsugeom.

The fact she entertained him became evidence of Ye Sogwang’s involvement. Though he’d make excuses, it wouldn’t be easy to escape facing Geom Mugeuk.

Many other powerful names followed.

She also detailed what happened to her. Writing her story meant risking her life.

Yakran handed the paper to Geom Mugeuk.

“This is… my life.”

“No. This is your new life.”

Because from now on, she could live differently.

Geom Mugeuk summoned Samho.

“Take this woman to Tongcheongak. Have your warriors escort her home. Find a way to heal her sick father.”

Yakran’s eyes widened in surprise. It was so moving she could hardly believe it.

“Will he follow me and kill my family?”

Half joking, half fearful, she asked.

Geom Mugeuk said coldly to Samho,

“Go and wipe out this woman’s household!”

Samho spoke bluntly to Yakran.

“I just visited my mother after three years.”

Yakran looked surprised.

“She’s grown old. Money is important, but visit before it’s too late.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled faintly as he watched Samho. This was a glimpse into what kind of man he was.

Seeing Yakran’s reddened eyes, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said,

“If you worried so much, you shouldn’t have written this. And do you think headquarters can’t find your home without your help?”

Yakran smiled sheepishly.

“Will you punish him today?”

“Yes.”

“I want to see him die.”

Even if he died, her wounds would remain for life. If anything remained.

“Then there’s something I want to see too. Show me your dance when he dies.”

Yakran nodded slowly.

“Yes. I want to show it to the Little Pill Master. Though I’m not sure I can dance well in front of a corpse.”

Geom Mugeuk and Yakran walked out of the room.

The guards looked at Geom Mugeuk with reverence. They were startled when he carried her earlier, and after overhearing the conversation, they were even more impressed. The more they knew about him, the deeper their loyalty grew.

Geom Mugeuk joked with Yakran.

“Your expression carries the reputation of my virility.”

Yakran laughed.

“Don’t worry, I’m a performer.”

The two returned to the banquet hall.

Geom Mugeuk walked proudly, chest out, and Yakran followed with a satisfied smile, head slightly bowed.

Ye Sogwang stepped close to Geom Mugeuk and asked quietly,

“You seem in good spirits?”

Geom Mugeuk poked Ye Sogwang’s side and grinned.

“Today, you’ll see the best dance of your life.”