When I went with Gwon Ma to Hyeol Cheon Doma’s quarters, he was reading a book.

“What kind of book do you read here, of all places?”

Without even raising his head, Hyeol Cheon Doma answered,

“They won’t send me home, so I have to read it here.”

“Where did that book come from?”

“There’s a library prepared for the branch warriors.”

Do warriors even read books? Yet he had searched even that formal repository and managed to find something to read. That shows how much he truly loved books.

“Stop reading that and read this first.”

Only then did Hyeol Cheon Doma close the book and look up.

“A letter has arrived from the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance leader.”

“Why the granddaughter of the Alliance leader?”

“It contains a plea for help and an invitation to the Late Qi Gathering. It must be related to this incident.”

“So they’ve started to react.”

Hyeol Cheon Doma advised that we respond according to that reaction, but unexpectedly, a message came from an unforeseen person.

“I suspect the one who connected the Cheonhwa Sect leader and Jin Ha-gun is pressuring Jin Ha-gun over this failure.”

That Jin Ha-ryeong wanted to see me likely means something has happened to my older brother Jin Ha-gun.

Then Gwon Ma asked,

“What will you do?”

“My friend has asked for help, so I must go.”

Gwon Ma’s expression grew serious.

“Going to the Murim Alliance requires caution.”

When I contacted them before, and now as the Little Pill Master, it’s different. My actions could represent the official stance of the main sect.

“I will proceed carefully.”

Then Gwon Ma said firmly,

“We will go with you.”

Without consulting Hyeol Cheon Doma, he spoke as if deciding we would move together until this matter ends.

“If you two attend, the entire Murim Alliance will be on alert. They also put the main sect’s Honam branch on alert.”

The two Majon smiled faintly. They themselves probably found the idea of causing an alert at Honam amusing.

If it were Duke Dok or Chwi Ma, they might have attended the banquet, but these two needed to move discreetly.

“Stay at the closest safehouse near the Murim Alliance. I will notify you immediately if help is needed.”

As the two Majon nodded, Jeok-yeon came to report that someone had arrived. Following the unexpected letter, an unexpected visitor — both women, coincidentally.

“This warrior has arrived.”

Ian entered the Honam branch. Wearing a mask and different martial robes than usual, all the branch warriors stopped and stared at her.

Not only was her beauty impossible to hide behind the mask, but the aura she radiated was extraordinary. Even her walk conveyed the overwhelming presence of a high-level master.

She wore black martial robes and a black mask embroidered with the white characters 귀영 (Ghost Shadow).

Behind her, about a dozen warriors in the same attire followed. Each of them radiated an unusual presence.

“Ian!”

At my call, Ian looked this way. Normally, she would have rushed up to me calling “Young Master!” but mindful of the surroundings, she walked slowly.

―New robes? Stylish!

To my transmission, Ian quickly replied,

―Don’t talk to me! I’m going to salute properly.

―You’re raising the same arm and leg.

―Don’t! I said I’ll salute properly at my first greeting to the Young Master.

She walked up and bowed respectfully, forming a fist with her palm.

“I greet the Little Pill Master.”

―Such hypocrisy!

―Hold it in!

The warriors who came with her lined up in formation.

“We greet the Little Pill Master.”

At the loud greeting, Ian introduced them.

“This is the Ghost Shadow Unit First Squad.”

Then Cheongmyeon stepped forward.

“I am Cheongmyeon, squad leader of the First Squad. I formally salute the Little Pill Master.”

At last, the Ghost Shadow Unit First Squad was complete. Cheongmyeon still wore his blue mask, but his eyes behind it looked utterly trustworthy. A man who gave up becoming a Majon to choose to be squad leader. I believe his squad will surpass any First Squad of any organization in Murim.

“Now it’s only the First Squad, but it will grow.”

Ian showed pride, and Cheongmyeon added loyalty.

“We obey only the orders of the Little Pill Master.”

“Any orders?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“What if I ordered you to kill the Murim Alliance leader now?”

Though a suicide mission, Cheongmyeon answered without hesitation,

“We would execute the order immediately.”

“What if my father ordered you? And if that conflicted with my orders?”

Cheongmyeon hesitated for a moment but then answered calmly,

“We obey only the Little Pill Master’s orders.”

“Your loyalty to me is appreciated, but except for my father’s orders. Consider my father’s orders as mine, and follow them. Understood?”

“Yes, understood!”

I patted Cheongmyeon’s shoulder with deep trust.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“We will serve loyally.”

I gave the real request via transmission.

―Take good care of your alliance leader better than I do.

Cheongmyeon answered with his eyes behind the mask — more trustworthy than any words.

Passing by Cheongmyeon, I walked slowly to the squad members. They were all young. Since Ian and Cheongmyeon had carefully selected them, they were trustworthy warriors.

Every time I passed, they took off their masks and stated their names.

After making eye contact with each, I said,

“I always tell your leaders to cherish themselves most. To live for their own happiness.”

They looked like they had heard this before. Probably Ian had explained about me to them.

I asked one of the Ghost Shadow warriors,

“Do you know why the name Ghost Shadow was chosen?”

“I heard it was named for the will to become the Little Pill Master’s shadow.”

“Yes, that’s right. You are my shadows.”

At that, Jeok-yeon standing behind seemed slightly tense and unsettled. The Ghost Shadow Unit’s presence rivaled that of the guards, and hearing they were called my shadows seemed to awaken some strange competitive spirit. She probably considered herself my shadow.

Ignoring it, I continued speaking to the Ghost Shadow warriors.

“If the original is happy but the shadow is unhappy, that’s strange, right? So don’t make me a villain. Make the shadow happier than the original. I believe that if you are happy, this organization will grow stronger. Now, repeat after me. I will become a happy shadow!”

“I will become a happy shadow.”

Though repeating after me awkwardly, the squad members had probably never heard such a thing from a unique Little Pill Master before. Not even from the righteous or heterodox factions.

Then Ian interrupted them.

“But that doesn’t mean you should become cowardly.”

“Of course!”

A loud response followed.

“Thanks for coming. Jeok-yeon, provide meals and rooms for the Ghost Shadow Unit. And you, Little Pill Master, come see me.”

After giving the Ghost Shadow Unit some rest, Ian and I walked in the garden.

“How did you get here?”

“I heard the Young Master was here, so I stopped by on my way back to the main sect. Just passing through.”

“Not here to brag about your squad?”

“Did it show?”

She smiled awkwardly — she had rushed to me eager to boast.

“I wanted to show you first. How about my subordinates?”

I held back my answer for a moment, wondering how to tease her. Before I could, she beat me to it.

“I’m glad. You said I picked well.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You can tell by the way you’re thinking about teasing me. If I’d messed up, you wouldn’t even think of teasing.”

At Ian’s sharp words, I gave sincere praise instead of teasing.

“Yes, they all look fine. You worked hard picking them.”

Ian smiled brightly. That one phrase probably made all her past hardships worth it.

“How about you?”

“While traveling through the Central Plains, I realized how confined I had been. I also felt how important experience is.”

“In that sense, let’s have one more experience together. The invitation arrived on your arrival day; it must be fate telling us to go together.”

Ian arrived the day the invitation from Jin Ha-ryeong came. I believe fate intended the two women to meet and grow from this encounter — both are very clever.

There was one more reason.

I recalled the conversation with Jin Ha-ryeong.

―Do you have a woman in your hometown? Someone you like?

―There’s someone prettier than you.

―Prettier than me? Then your credibility just dropped.

―You’re the best in Hubei, but she’s the greatest beauty in all the world.

―Next time, you must show me this “greatest beauty in all the world!”

I had wanted to introduce her when the opportunity came, and finally, it had arrived.

“Who sent the invitation?”

I smiled faintly.

“There is someone who lowered my credibility.”

Jin Ha-ryeong held her meeting as usual.

The Late Qi members had all made great efforts to attend. Only those who ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) stood out in their regions could receive invitations.

The greatest advantage of the meeting was the chance to build connections with other faction heirs. Especially receiving Jin Ha-ryeong’s recognition made the meeting meaningful.

The young Late Qi members secretly dreamed of marrying Jin Ha-ryeong. Most were the top talents of their own districts and dreamed big.

She was the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance leader, the greatest beauty in Hubei, and a martial artist to boot. The best possible match in the righteous Murim faction.

Of course, upon meeting Jin Ha-ryeong, they realized it was an unattainable dream. She led the meeting splendidly but never revealed personal feelings. Especially after the recent Xiaolong War incident, she allowed no opening for even a needle.

“Is something the matter? You look nervous.”

Jin Ha-ryeong’s guard Chuho asked worriedly. She seemed unusually tense today.

“I’m fine.”

I did not expect Geom Mugeuk to come. Unlike last time, the gap in status was clear now. Just coming to the Murim Alliance was a great risk; it was more likely he wouldn’t come.

Still, I had a needless hope. Somehow, I felt Geom Mugeuk would come. He was the kind of man who gave that hope.

Meanwhile, people gathered one by one at the banquet hall. They greeted each other and did their best to announce who they were.

I looked from behind the curtain but could not see Geom Mugeuk.

‘Is he not coming?’

Putting aside my disappointment and pride, my older brother needed him desperately.

“It’s time to go.”

At Chuho’s words, she composed herself. Her expression was completely different from a moment ago.

When she appeared, everyone applauded and cheered. Those seeing her for the first time greatly admired the beauty of Hubei’s greatest.

Usually, one begins by thanking the guests who made the precious journey.

“Welcome, friends.”

Jokingly starting, laughter erupted everywhere, lightening the mood instantly.

“When grandfather starts the speech, no matter how bored you are, you can’t even blink. Now, it’s okay to nod off.”

Laughter followed again. Jin Ha-ryeong was not originally so frank, but after meeting Geom Mugeuk, she had changed. She was trying to change but did not know why.

“You must have heard troubling news recently — news from the demon sect and the Satan Alliance.”

At mention of the demon sect and Satan Alliance, faces hardened. Most present were scions of noble families, and had heard rumors about the heirs of those factions. Especially rumors about the demon sect’s successor were unbelievably impressive.

“This rumor tells us why we must gather and unite. A person greater than any heir before has appeared. And the one to face him is not grandfather or our parents, but us in the future.”

A heavy silence filled the hall.

Jin Ha-ryeong paused and silently looked around. The young warriors had to awaken. To face him, they must truly change.

Then it happened. Jin Ha-ryeong caught the gaze of someone among the Late Qi members.

Startled, she saw Geom Mugeuk standing there with a smile.

‘Ah! He came!’

Warm joy welled up inside. His clear and deep eyes, playful yet pure, were unchanged.

She was grateful. When she asked for help, he did not refuse and came running. Though the demon sect’s Little Pill Master, he stood alone among the righteous.

Continuing her speech, she said,

“The rumored demon sect Little Pill Master is no ordinary person. Stronger, smarter, braver than anyone else. They say he even keeps promises well.”

Geom Mugeuk’s smile deepened.

“So we must stay alert and build our strength. If we let our guard down, one day the demon sect Little Pill Master’s sword will pierce our hearts. Let’s all work together for the peace of Murim! There’s no time to be drowsy.”

The Late Qi members cheered enthusiastically.

Amid the noisy hall, the two locked eyes.

After the speech, Jin Ha-ryeong went straight to meet Geom Mugeuk privately in the back garden.

“You really came.”

“We agreed to be friends, didn’t we?”

“It feels awkward after such a long time.”

“Feel free to be yourself. I’m here as a friend.”

Seeing Geom Mugeuk up close, Jin Ha-ryeong felt nervous and trembled. With her brother’s problems and everything, many thoughts filled her mind. Was he really here as a friend? Or was she being deceived? Gratitude and fear mixed inside her.

So she nervously made small talk to ease the tension.

“How do you feel seeing the greatest beauty of Hubei again after so long?”

“I’m someone who’s seen the greatest beauty in the world.”

“Such bravado again?”

“I brought her knowing that.”

“Then show me this greatest beauty in the world.”

Until then, Jin Ha-ryeong thought Geom Mugeuk was joking.

When Geom Mugeuk turned his head, Ian slowly emerged from behind a building shadow, revealing that he had indeed come with a woman. Jin Ha-ryeong was startled.

Ian began walking toward the two.