“Not going back?”

Despite the Tianchun Sect Leader’s words, Go Wol kept his eyes alternating only between the Go board and the book he was holding.

“All the work’s done now, isn’t it? Let’s go back!”

They had finally finished establishing the intelligence network in the Central Plains.

The organization name Geom Mugeuk had given was “Eunwol” (Silver Moon). Go Wol refused to add any suffix like “Dan” or “Dae” — he insisted on using exactly the name as Geom Mugeuk had chosen.

“Let’s go!”

“I won’t.”

“Why?”

“I’ll go back only after I can beat the Commander at Go.”

Of course, the Tianchun Sect Leader understood the meaning behind Go Wol’s words. It meant he would stay to manage Eunwol until it became a better organization than Tongcheongak, led by the Commander himself. No matter how well-made an organization is, there’s a clear difference when the leader personally oversees it versus when they don’t—especially right after its creation, when the leader’s diligence is most crucial.

“Do you think the Commander will appreciate this?”

“It’s not the Commander, but the Little Pill Master.”

“Same difference. Now that the goal’s achieved, you and the Majon are all going to be sidelined. Stuffed away in corners, and when you meet, it’ll be like, ‘Who are you again?’ You probably won’t even be called that commander anymore. Probably something like, ‘Move aside, the Little Pill Master’s coming through.’ Life’s like that, whether you like it or not. Who doesn’t want to live without being looked after?”

Go Wol still stared at the board and the book in his hand.

“Aren’t you tired of saying that?”

“Keep saying it, over and over, until I die. Listen again and again. That’s what close friends do.”

“Then aren’t we way too close?”

The Tianchun Sect Leader stopped speaking and walked to the window.

“No use! Acting sulky.”

He naturally turned away from where he was heading, then walked to the bed, pretending to have a fever and touched his forehead. Before long, Go Wol interrupted.

“Stop faking it!”

Eventually, the Tianchun Sect Leader returned to his original seat.

“Let’s just badmouth the Commander. That’s the only thing that really makes me feel better. Where were we before?”

“Move aside, the Little Pill Master’s coming through.”

Go Wol, while calling it tiresome, was properly indulging in it.

“You’re the Little Pill Master now, and Eunwol is fully established, so you’ll be pushed aside soon. You’ll be asked subtly if merging Eunwol with Tongcheongak is possible. Then what will you do?”

“If they suggest merging, I’ll merge.”

“That’s why the Commander must find you delicious—he’ll tear you apart, lick every bone clean.”

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.

“You really badmouth me every time we meet.”

Startled, they both turned and saw Geom Mugeuk smiling.

“You really have a knack for showing up only when badmouthing me.”

“Don’t you badmouth me most of the day?”

“Sometimes all day, even sleep-talking about it.”

Despite his words, the Tianchun Sect Leader’s face was full of warmth.

Geom Mugeuk respectfully bowed to him.

“Thank you for your hard work, Sect Leader.”

“Why the sudden politeness? Is this some ‘giving a treat to the one you hate’ trick?”

“I heard Eunwol is complete. If it weren’t for your help, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”

“So you two have been exchanging messages again. Without me!”

Now it was Go Wol’s turn to greet Geom Mugeuk with respect.

“Finally a proper greeting. Congratulations on becoming Little Pill Master.”

“You’ve done a great job.”

“Even if you’d set a broom in my place, it wouldn’t have changed the trend.”

The Tianchun Sect Leader interrupted.

“Don’t be so humble, or I’ll actually believe it. Just say you worked your ass off. People only think about how hard their lives are no matter what.”

Go Wol laughed.

“Our Sect Leader has worked very hard. Please recognize and praise him.”

“Well done.”

Then the Tianchun Sect Leader raised his voice.

“Stop pretending to be nice and tell your true feelings!”

Geom Mugeuk and Go Wol exchanged smiles.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze shifted to the Go board behind them.

“So, are you finally becoming a perfect commander who even plays Go well?”

Geom Mugeuk walked toward the board.

Go Wol joined him.

“Wanna play a game with me?”

“I just started learning, still have a long way to go.”

But despite his words, the board layout showed he was well past beginner level.

“The fight on this side is fierce.”

Geom Mugeuk commented, and Go Wol replied meaningfully,

“Doesn’t it resemble what’s happening now?”

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk realized Go Wol already understood everything that happened at the Honam branch. Perhaps he had been pondering those issues while playing Go alone.

“This move is thrown to secure the # Nоvеlight # stones in atari. It’s too deep to be just probing and too reckless to be purely to rescue stones.”

Go Wol’s eyes met Geom Mugeuk’s from the board.

“It’s a move from the Murim Alliance to save the Tianhe Sect.”

Indeed, Go Wol was aware of the whole situation, even things Geom Mugeuk didn’t know.

“Jin Hagun, grandson of the Murim Alliance leader and commander of the Myeolma Corps, activated his unique authority to move the Murim Alliance. The leader accepted their demands. It’s customary that if they accept our demands now, later our main sect must accept theirs.”

Geom Mugeuk nodded, imagining the father watching this move with interest, even testing his son.

“But do they know about what Seo Cheong did?”

“They probably have some idea.”

All members of the Mushinhae except Seo Cheong and the culprit Seo Cheong were released. News of the banquet incident would be spreading through them.

“Still pressing forward?”

“The gains are worth the criticism.”

Geom Mugeuk shook his head. The Murim Alliance leader he had seen was a righteous bandit—bold but honorable.

“Maybe their grandson is also being tested.”

Go Wol nodded knowingly.

“What’s the response plan?”

Geom Mugeuk had run here to hear this answer.

His effort was worthwhile—Go Wol already had a plan.

“The reason Tianhe could balance between the main sect, Murim Alliance, and Satan Alliance was not only their own strength but because of the thirty or so smaller factions following them. Most of those factions are not aligned with the righteous sect but with the main sect and Satan Alliance.”

“So they’d be displeased with Tianhe joining the righteous sect.”

“Exactly. This is the chance to absorb all those factions. Then the Murim Alliance will just be noisy and hollow.”

“That’s a great plan!”

Geom Mugeuk was very pleased.

But Go Wol recognized a problem in his plan.

“The problem is how the Murim Alliance and Tianhe will react. They won’t just stand by. We must prepare.”

That was true. They wouldn’t watch quietly.

Escalating conflicts could lead to clashes. Since the father ordered Seo Cheong’s release, a power struggle was not an option.

Geom Mugeuk picked up a white stone, pondering.

“Trying to save a dead stone will be punished. But...”

Click!

He placed the stone away from the battle.

“If we attack head-on, they’ll desperately struggle. So maybe we try a move from the opposite side.”

“Like a feint to the east while striking in the west.”

Go Wol smiled knowingly.

“He really is on our east side.”

Geom Mugeuk ran toward the east.

His swift steps, formed a ten-star major success, narrowing his Central Plains.

There he met a familiar person, who was eating at a tavern as usual.

―I told you to eat evenly, but you’re still picky.

The message made Bisa-in chuckle.

Ilrang, who was nearby, asked,

“Why are you laughing?”

“Just thought of a foolish person.”

After Yalyulhan died, Bisa-in took full control. He was firmly the successor of the Satan Alliance and had many followers—all thanks to Geom Mugeuk.

―See you at the cliff tonight.

―Let’s stop watching each other now.

That night, when Bisa-in arrived at the cliff, Geom Mugeuk was sitting at the edge.

“I don’t know why, but seeing your back makes me want to push you off.”

“Go ahead and push me off once today. When you realize it’s useless, you won’t think about it again.”

Bisa-in stood beside Geom Mugeuk.

“Why are you here again?”

“Because I need your help.”

“What kind of demonic sect asks for help from the Satan Alliance?”

Though he said that, Bisa-in’s heart was pounding. When life felt monotonous, Geom Mugeuk would suddenly appear like this.

Sitting down, Geom Mugeuk looked up at Bisa-in’s face and said,

“Oh, from this angle, you’re quite handsome. Your scars look cool here too. If you ever find a woman you like, sit her here and stand over there.”

“Stop with the nonsense and say what you came for.”

“Let’s work on something together.”

“What kind of work?”

“The Murim Alliance is getting greedy lately. But greed isn’t just them, right?”

Bisa-in’s expression grew serious.

“You mean the Tianhe issue?”

Bisa-in already knew about the Tianhe matter. He had heard about the Tianhe successor being captured by Geom Mugeuk. He expected to be asked for help but was surprised to see they sided with the Murim Alliance. This had put the Satan Alliance and Bisa-in on high alert.

“Of course, you knew everything.”

“You think I don’t know when you’re making a fuss? Even kids running around the neighborhood know.”

“As you know, I like being noticed.”

“So why are you here?”

Aside from his favor toward Geom Mugeuk, this was an extremely serious matter—a major neutral power was siding with one faction.

“Can’t just stand by.”

“You could handle it alone.”

Bisa-in knew how outstanding Geom Mugeuk was. That’s why he doubted him.

“Of course I could handle it alone, if not for my father.”

“What do you mean?”

“An official order was given. Release the Tianhe successor. In other words, don’t confront them directly.”

“So you want to use me instead?”

“Something like that.”

Bisa-in answered firmly,

“I refuse.”

As he turned to leave, Geom Mugeuk said,

“Let’s split it three ways.”

Bisa-in stopped. How could he just walk away after hearing that?

“What do you mean?”

“The small factions following Tianhe mostly obey the main sect and the Satan Alliance. They’ll be displeased by Tianhe’s unilateral decision. Let’s absorb them all.”

Bisa-in was surprised. He’d been focused only on Tianhe and hadn’t considered that.

“Why give me a chance if you’ll absorb them all yourself?”

Geom Mugeuk answered honestly.

“Three reasons. First, I can’t act alone or I’ll clash with them. But if you intervene, things change.”

“Second reason?”

“What use is it to force people under you who want to be under others? They’ll just betray us later. When urgent, we don’t care about appearances, but I don’t want to show off power just for show. That’s the old way.”

Bisa-in’s scar twitched. He wondered what hidden motives Geom Mugeuk had, but couldn’t tell. If it were someone else, it might be easier to read his intentions, but Geom Mugeuk was difficult.

“Last reason?”

“Curiosity. As you know, Tianhe mainly exchanged with the main sect and you. But in crisis, they joined the Murim Alliance. Shouldn’t they have sided with you? They acted beyond reason. What’s the real reason? Who’s leading this? Aren’t you curious?”

Bisa-in honestly said,

“I’m curious too. Actually, more curious than you.”

“Honestly, that alone is reason enough for you to intervene.”

After pondering, Bisa-in suddenly said,

“What if I get greedy and try to absorb Tianhe too?”

Since Tianhe had dealings with Satan Alliance similar to the demonic sect, siding with Satan Alliance wasn’t impossible.

“Be greedy.”

“What?”

“If you can, ally with Tianhe.”

“Do you hate the righteous sect that much?”

“No. I plan to absorb Tianhe too. If I want that, I have to acknowledge what you want. Let’s compete. Who will own Tianhe?”

Bisa-in silently looked down at Geom Mugeuk. Since their first meeting, he’d felt a barrier—not a wall suppressing him but one challenging him to break through.

Bisa-in suddenly said,

“I want to push you off again.”

Geom Mugeuk held out his hand to help him up.

Bisa-in shook his head, amused.

“You really need to consult with Uiseon.”

“I’m too hooked on our sect’s magic. If no one helps me up, I have to get up myself. Ouch, my back.”

Geom Mugeuk playfully complained as he stood.

Bisa-in made the final decision.

“See you in Honam.”

He accepted the proposal.

Geom Mugeuk said,

“Bring strong masters who can create a fierce atmosphere. We don’t know what’ll pop out from their side. Also, I need a reason to move.”

Bisa-in provocatively asked,

“Think you can handle it?”

“Why not? I’ll call even more terrifying Majon than you.”

“I’ve never lost once.”

Bisa-in turned and disappeared into the darkness.

“You get cooler every time!”

Hearing that from behind, Bisa-in chuckled.

When he turned to respond, Geom Mugeuk was already gone, flying among the stars in the night sky.

Looking up at Geom Mugeuk and the sparkling stars, Bisa-in quietly said,

“I will handle you. I will surely become that person.”