The banquet ended, leaving only Geom Mugeuk and his bodyguards behind.

After having the corpses cleared away, he deliberately sent everyone else out. He wanted to have a drink with his guards.

Sitting perched on the edge of the table, he picked up a bottle of alcohol.

“Changing shifts soon, right? Come on, everyone, have a drink.”

Jeok-yeon and the bodyguards silently accepted the drinks. Now no one said, “I can’t do that during guard duty” under my orders. Our own bond was forming.

“Thank you all for your hard work.”

When I raised my cup, everyone lifted theirs and drank it down.

Drinking a single cup of liquor in the empty banquet hall, swept clean by a recent storm, had a strange charm to it.

‘At least take a break at times like this.’

Some say bodyguards look cool, but without a sense of duty, it’s really not easy. They aren’t the lead or supporting actors, not even minor roles. They are doing the work that must remain background.

“Do people drink before sleeping?”

Jeok-yeon answered my question.

“Sometimes we do. On days like today, we would.”

“Days like today?”

Jeok-yeon didn’t answer but asked me instead.

“Aren’t you tired of punishing evil?”

“That’s why we lose. Because we get tired. On the other side, weeds grow back as soon as you turn away, but we’re the farmers who have to pull them all out, one by one.”

Jeok-yeon’s pupils trembled slightly. Then his gaze turned toward the bloodstains left where Ye Sogwang’s corpse had been.

“When I first saw Pill Master Ye, I didn’t know he was that kind of person.”

“Don’t be fooled by first impressions. Small-minded people are good at disguises. If you get the feeling it’s overly pleasant at first glance, you better be cautious.”

“In that sense, I’m lucky.”

He was a poison master, so his first impression was strong. Not as bad as Kwonma, but you could say he was a milder version of Jangho.

“You’d be pretty handsome without the mask, right? Manly.”

“Me? First time I’ve heard that.”

Just as Jeok-yeon’s mood was about to improve, he quickly added,

“Be careful about things like that. Don’t get your hopes up for nothing!”

Jeok-yeon and the bodyguards laughed together.

“Will you depart for the Gangseo branch tomorrow?”

“I’d like to, but… I need to finish up here first.”

It’s not hard to kill someone and get rid of them. The cleanup afterward is always the difficult part. You have to fix what the bastard did and find someone to replace him.

“Not in a rush. We’ll go slowly.”

It’s probably the same over there. Good people and bad guys mixed together, living side by side.

The next morning, rumors spread throughout the Honam branch that the branch master had died.

Since many people had been at the scene where Ye Sogwang died, the reason for his death was thoroughly detailed. Today it was an internal rumor, but within days it would spread across the entire Honam region.

Now every branch master and branch head in the Central Plains would fear me. I think that’s not a bad thing. Being on edge with nerves helps maintain discipline.

That afternoon, the head of Tongcheongak’s Honam region came again.

“We have recovered all the assets Ye Sogwang had hidden with Yanghosas. What should we do with the money?”

“Send all the money to the main branch.”

“Understood.”

Father, son, you’re working hard out there! I should tease him a bit.

“You’ll need to stay here at the branch for a while, Little Pill Master, at least until the upper levels appoint a temporary branch master.”

Since they had killed the branch master without naming a successor, there was no other choice. Even without the Tongcheongak warrior’s words, I was thinking of staying to help tidy up afterward.

Just as I was entrusted with selecting the head of Hwangcheongak, they were likely to accept my proposal for the next branch master here as well.

“As soon as you return, send information immediately about the executives under the branch master. Send every bit of information available.”

“Understood.”

After receiving intelligence from Hwangcheongak, I immediately interviewed several warriors who could become the next branch master.

I couldn’t tell what kind of person someone was in a single interview, but their past deeds allowed me to guess.

After recording my impressions and thoughts on each person, I sent the reports to Tongcheongak. Whether they send a new person or pick someone from among those I interviewed is a matter for Father and Tongcheongak.

After finishing my tasks, I trained in Cheonma Hoshingong at the training hall. Recently, whenever I practiced Cheonma Hoshingong, I instinctively felt something itching—that I was ready to pass to the next stage.

My prediction was correct. On the third day after starting training, Cheonma Hoshingong advanced to the next stage. I was now one step closer to Daeseong. One more stage to surpass, and I would have two lives.

Usually, such profound martial arts breakthroughs are hard to explain, but this time I knew why.

It was because of Guwhama Gong. Learning Guwhama Gong surely influenced the progress in Cheonma Hoshingong.

I immediately performed the first form of Guwhama Gong. Since Cheonma Hoshingong had advanced, I was curious about what effect that might have on Guwhama Gong.

The first form: Annihilation.

The east, west, south, and north ghosts simultaneously appeared, tearing apart the space.

The scary one, the handsome one, the mysterious one, the clever one. All four were as ever.

And something had changed.

They now lingered just a little longer than before. Cheonma Hoshingong advancing a step had also influenced Guwhama Gong.

Of course, this did not mean any emotional exchange with them. For now, it was a one-sided courtship.

East, west, south, and north, I entrust myself to you going forward!

Will the day ever come when those evil ghosts return my feelings?

Even now they are different, but on that day, my Guwhama Gong will be completely different from my father’s.

That day, after finishing training at the martial arts ground, two men came to see Geom Mugeuk. One introduced himself first.

“I am a man named Chungshik. I came risking disrespect to urgently ask something of the Little Pill Master.”

Chungshik’s voice trembled, as if nervous.

Geom Mugeuk recognized him.

“You’re the one who performed at the banquet that day.”

Chungshik was surprised that I recognized him.

“You recognize me?”

“Yes. I never easily forget a person I’ve met once. What brings the musician here?”

Chungshik glanced at the middle-aged man who had come with him.

“This friend is my companion.”

The man introduced himself.

“I am Haesong. I sell vegetables here in Jeoja.”

Haesong was even more nervous than Chungshik.

“Nice to meet you, I am Geom Mugeuk.”

“It is an honor to meet such a noble person.”

“What brings you to see me?”

Haesong hesitated to speak. Even though he had practiced what to say, his heart trembled too much to get words out.

Unable to stand it, Chungshik spoke for him.

“Before ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) the Little Pill Master came here, this friend’s son was unjustly assaulted. The injuries are so severe the doctor says he may become disabled.”

Haesong bit his lip tightly. He couldn’t bring himself to say it. Just thinking of his son made his anger flare and his heart tighten so much that tears welled up.

“Who did this?”

“There is an organization of young warriors in the Honam region. They call themselves the Mushinhwe.”

“Who led the assault?”

“The sons of the Tianhe Sect leader and the Soyabang leader.”

Tianhe and Soyabang—the factions that had sided with the dead Ye Sogwang. They were also under investigation for this incident, but unexpectedly, they had now revealed themselves.

Seeing that heaven would not let those factions slip through the net, I thought perhaps their wrongdoing was greater than what was visible.

“We know how disrespectful it is for us lowly people to come to the Little Pill Master with such a request. But that day, we saw how you stood up for Yakran. We thought if it is you, you would resolve this friend’s injustice.”

Chungshik’s gaze turned to Haesong.

“I have lived my whole life playing music. This friend bought me instruments and taught me how to play. I want to repay that kindness with my life if I have to.”

Haesong hung his head. He was just a vegetable vendor in Jeoja, but he knew how burdensome and difficult it was to come to the Little Pill Master of the demonic sect for help. His friend risked his life for him. Actually, he risked his life as well. They would never have come otherwise.

Haesong opened his trembling mouth.

“To be honest, I was ready to give up. How could a lowly street vendor like me stand against Tianhe and Soyabang? But this friend said the arrival of the Little Pill Master at this time was heaven’s chance for me.”

Haesong looked at Geom Mugeuk.

“I want them to pay for their crimes.”

Until now, he had been trembling, but at that moment his eyes held a father’s resolve.

Haesong’s wife was shocked. When the musician came and told her husband to go meet the Little Pill Master, she thought it was a wasted effort. She didn’t think the Little Pill Master of the demonic sect would see a mere musician. She worried he would only get beaten up for nothing.

But the Little Pill Master came himself, and when the guards stood watch around their home, she was flustered and overwhelmed.

Inside the room, Haesong’s son Haejin was lying down groaning in pain.

His injuries were clearly severe. Though treated by a doctor, he still lay unable to move. At this state, living as a warrior was impossible, even as a normal person it seemed difficult.

At the sound of the door opening, Haejin forced himself to speak through the pain.

“Mother, I’m okay. I’m feeling better.”

He tried to hide his pain so she wouldn’t worry. Haesong’s wife held back tears and sat beside her son.

“Jina, a noble person has come to see you.”

Only then did Haejin open his eyes, but the pain was too great for him to see properly.

“Let me take a look.”

Geom Mugeuk gently turned Haejin’s body and placed his palm on his back.

After briefly injecting vital energy and regulating his blood and qi flow, Haejin’s harsh breathing calmed.

Seeing this, Chungshik, Haesong, and his wife relaxed and rejoiced. This was the first time since the injury that Haejin looked peaceful.

Geom Mugeuk cleared the blocked qi flow and properly realigned the broken bones. He performed this difficult treatment instantly and with minimal pain. If it hadn’t made cracking sounds, no one would have known what was being done.

“What happened?”

Now more comfortable, Haejin recounted the events.

“I went to work at the banquet hall. You get paid better serving drinks and food at noble family banquets than at inns.”

Haesong sighed. His son worked hard and earned money to attend martial arts school. If Haesong had money, his son wouldn’t have to do such work. Chungshik said not to blame himself, but how could a parent not blame themselves?

“My dream is to become a warrior.”

“You have a natural build for it; you’ll be a good warrior. Be thankful to your parents.”

“Really?”

Haejin, now a little more aware, looked at his parents. They smiled, hiding their sorrow.

Geom Mugeuk asked again.

“What happened there?”

“I was carrying liquor to be used at the banquet, and during break time, I practiced the steps I learned. I shouldn’t have practiced…”

Haejin sighed full of regret and continued.

“A passing Mr. Seo saw me and asked if I was learning martial arts. When I said I was attending martial arts school, he told me to have a duel with Mr. Seok, who was hanging out with him. I refused strongly, but…”

Haejin’s face twisted with frustration, then turned fearful. Thinking of that moment, his anger welled up and became unbearable. The fear of being beaten almost to death also left deep wounds.

Now I understood what had happened. They used the duel as an excuse to assault him. It wasn’t a one-time incident.

“How is my body?”

“Fortunately, the vital blood vessels were unharmed. The blocked ones I just cleared. You don’t have to give up on your dream.”

“Thank you so much.”

Tears streamed down Haejin’s cheeks.

Chungshik, Haesong, and Haesong’s wife rejoiced greatly. They only hoped he wouldn’t be disabled, and now their son could dream of being a warrior again. They were even happier than the son.

“Are banquets held often?”

“Once every three or four days.”

“Now rest well.”

Geom Mugeuk pressed Haejin’s acupoints, and he fell asleep comfortably.

“Leave the rest to me, and focus only on your son’s treatment.”

The three bowed deeply to Geom Mugeuk. They never imagined the Little Pill Master would willingly help this much. It felt like a dream.

Before leaving, Geom Mugeuk said to Haesong.

“I came because of your gaze. Your son was saved by you.”

As I stepped outside, I heard Haesong’s long-held back sobbing. His wife’s cries joined, and his friend’s as well.

I spoke to Jeok-yeon, who was waiting.

“Report back to Tongcheongak immediately and send information about Tianhe Sect and Soyabang. Find out when the next banquet will be.”

“Yes, understood.”

As we walked toward the carriage together, Jeok-yeon added,

“You are truly remarkable.”

“What for?”

“For taking care of all these things personally.”

“I rode here in a carriage you all pulled, healed with a pulse of vital energy, rode your carriage again, went to the banquet to scold those who couldn’t even behave themselves. Where’s the greatness in that? The true greatness lies in that musician’s courage to suggest coming to the Little Pill Master for a friend. The courage of a father who wants the scions of huge factions to pay for their crimes for his son’s justice. The patience of a son who pretends he isn’t in pain for his mother. That’s what deserves to be called remarkable.”

But Jeok-yeon firmly shook his head.

“No, no matter what anyone says, the Little Pill Master is the more remarkable one.”

Jeok-yeon opened the carriage door. As I climbed in, I said,

“You’re stubborn. You’re changing. You’re a bit rebellious.”

Jeok-yeon closed the door and said,

“Who else would it be because of?”

Looking at Jeok-yeon through the window, I smiled. I felt the gray background that was them slowly being filled with color.

The carriage began moving, heading off to handle the remarkable yet unremarkable tasks ahead.