Ian was wearing a bamboo hat with a veil.

As she drew closer, Jin Ha-ryeong’s eyes widened. Tall and sensual, with a figure rarely seen.

Still, there was composure.

Ian slowly removed her bamboo hat when she reached the two women.

At the moment Jin Ha-ryeong saw her face, she was shocked.

She was confident in her own appearance. No matter how beautiful a woman was, standing before her, they usually seemed ordinary.

But this opponent was different. Clear and sharp features, bright eyes, and radiant, supple skin.

She was so attractively beautiful it almost seemed wrong.

The reason she was more amazed and admiring than most was because Jin Ha-ryeong knew beauty well.

She had faced many comparisons and met many beautiful women. So she knew — such beauty was rare.

And one more thing.

What made Ian perfect was her gi-do — her aura. Gentle yet intense. Watching her was like seeing a single plum blossom bloom in falling snow.

“A true master!”

No Late Qi member she had seen displayed such gi-do. They, and even she herself, were overwhelmed by it.

“Stronger than me.”

So beautiful and yet so strong in martial arts? Surely not nice in personality? Odd voice? Silly thoughts even crossed her mind.

Lost in these musings, Ian smiled and greeted her.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ian.”

A jade bead rolled on a tray. Personality was unknown, but outwardly, she was perfect.

“I’m Jin Ha-ryeong.”

Jin Ha-ryeong’s voice trembled slightly. She had not shaken even speaking before all those Late Qi members, but now she did.

Ian, though meeting the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance leader, spoke with full confidence.

“I’ve heard much about you. It’s an honor to meet such a precious person. You’re truly beautiful. I’ve never met anyone so beautiful.”

A phrase popped into Jin Ha-ryeong’s mind!

“Who says that!”

To think the day would come when she was outshined in looks!

Her surprised gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk, who smugly puffed up with pride.

“That’s just how I am.”

Jin Ha-ryeong, incredulous, asked again,

“Is she really your girlfriend?”

At the word “girlfriend,” Ian looked at Geom Mugeuk in surprise.

“I said I have a girlfriend because people ignored me thinking I didn’t.”

Both Jin Ha-ryeong and Ian’s hearts raced.

“So, is she really your girlfriend?”

Just as Geom Mugeuk was about to answer, Ian spoke.

“No.”

Jin Ha-ryeong felt an inexplicable relief at that moment.

“We are much closer than girlfriends.”

Jin Ha-ryeong flinched.

Though brief, Ian sensed,

‘Jin Sojeo likes the Young Master.’

A feeling only a woman could sense.

The Little Pill Master of the demon sect and the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance leader.

‘The best conditions any man could want are ironically the worst for the Young Master.’

Ian smiled.

“I’ve been guarding him since he was young. That’s why I said those things.”

Jin Ha-ryeong glanced at Geom Mugeuk and said,

“It must have been hard to serve him.”

“Not easy.”

As the two women looked at him simultaneously, Geom Mugeuk smiled.

“Common enemies make people bond faster.”

Provocatively, Jin Ha-ryeong asked,

“A common enemy, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

Jin Ha-ryeong said to Ian,

“If you were truly his subordinate, that man would never say ‘girlfriend.’”

Testing her, Ian firmly said,

“You’re mistaken. To me, he is my revered Little Pill Master. I could never harbor such feelings.”

Her affection for Geom Mugeuk was deeper than anyone’s, but she was merely a guard. He was the blood of Cheonma Sin Gyo. She didn’t even know her own parents.

“You don’t understand the world.”

Jin Ha-ryeong’s words were for Ian, but perhaps also for herself.

As Ian sensed Jin Ha-ryeong’s fondness for Geom Mugeuk, Jin Ha-ryeong also felt Ian’s liking for him.

A brief, strange tension flowed between the two women.

Jin Ha-ryeong said to Geom Mugeuk,

“Well, I take back calling you a braggart.”

“That’s fine. My credibility is restored.”

Then Geom Mugeuk revealed why he had brought Ian.

“I didn’t bring Ian here to pit you two in a beauty contest.”

“Then?”

The reason was unexpected.

“I brought my friend to introduce her to another friend. I think you two will get along well.”

The phrase ‘another friend’ struck Jin Ha-ryeong’s heart.

‘He really considered me a friend.’

A strange mix of pleasure and slight hurt rose.

After introducing the two women to each other, Geom Mugeuk got to the point.

“Where is Jin Daeju?”

“Why do you ask about my brother?”

“Wasn’t it because of Jin Daeju that I called you?”

“How did you know?”

This man’s surprises no longer shocked.

“Your brother must have asked you to arrange a meeting by chance.”

“How do you know that? Don’t tell me? Are we being watched? Did you plant someone around me?”

It wasn’t a joke but a sincere question that amused Geom Mugeuk.

“I wish we had spies that skilled. The problem is those who are that skilled don’t become spies.”

That meant Geom Mugeuk had guessed well. That was why the brother sought his help.

“Do you think of me as a friend?”

Geom Mugeuk nodded.

“Then make me a promise. Don’t harm our brother. If you do, kill me instead. Understand?”

Geom Mugeuk said to Ian,

“Did you hear? If I order Jin Daeju killed, you just kill this person here.”

“Isn’t that too harsh a command after introducing us as friends?”

Ian said, and Jin Ha-ryeong gave a faint smile.

“He’s waiting in the guest room at the end of the garden. If I signal, he’s ready to come meet you.”

“I’ll go meet him.”

“He might get offended.”

“If he cared about pride, he wouldn’t have called me. See you later.”

With that, Geom Mugeuk headed toward the place Jin Ha-ryeong had told him.

An awkward silence briefly fell between the two women and the man.

Jin Ha-ryeong asked Ian,

“Want to go to the banquet together?”

Two beautiful women returning together to the banquet hall would surely cause a stir.

Ian politely declined.

“Please invite me next time. I don’t think today is my place.”

“Then, see you next time.”

They bowed politely to each other.

After a few steps, Jin Ha-ryeong looked back at Ian.

“Will we see each other again?”

Jin Ha-ryeong was curious about Ian — who she was and how the Ian she knew differed from the Geom Mugeuk she knew. Ian’s beauty made her even more drawn to her.

“Of course. I will always be with the Young Master. If you want to see me, find the Young Master.”

“Alright.”

Jin Ha-ryeong returned to the banquet hall, and Ian quietly disappeared into the shadows.

Jin Ha-gun waited in the guest room.

When his sister contacted him, he planned to naturally meet Geom Mugeuk there. It wasn’t odd for him to attend the Late Qi gathering.

‘This is crazy.’

If his master found out, it would likely become an irreversible relationship. If his grandfather knew? He would be very disappointed. He’d brought in a demon sect member to solve a problem he didn’t handle himself. Yet he had done it because he felt a great urgency.

Then it happened.

Someone stopped outside the window and looked in.

The person who met Jin Ha-gun’s eyes was Geom Mugeuk.

“Jin Daeju! Why are you here? I was invited by your younger brother to attend the gathering. I was looking for the restroom, and what a coincidence! I guess fate connects us.”

Jin Ha-gun sighed looking at Geom Mugeuk.

“Stop the ridiculous act and come inside.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled and entered.

“How did you know?”

“If your brother hadn’t told me, there’d be no way I’d meet you here. You’re not the type to wander around looking for restrooms. And no way this kind of coincidence happens.”

“Indeed! Our Jin Daeju is clever. If we want to take over the Murim Alliance, we’ll need to rack our brains.”

“I’m not in the mood to joke. So stop.”

Jin Ha-gun worried how this moment would be remembered in his life. Would it start with “What a stupid choice,” or “If not for that choice, I wouldn’t be here now.” He stood at the crossroads.

“How did you know I called you?”

“Because I know how important the Murim Alliance is to you.”

“What do you know about me?”

“You gave up Cheonhwa Sect to become the Alliance leader, didn’t you? That alone shows how much you want to be the Murim Alliance leader.”

Jin Ha-gun silently acknowledged this.

“Are you bothered that I called you? You don’t need to be.”

Jin Ha-gun waited, curious what he meant.

Then unexpectedly, Geom Mugeuk said,

“You’re not the heir yet, are you? If an heir called another heir, that would be a problem. But now the Demon Slaughter Corps leader called a friend of your younger brother. Not to ask for help, but to investigate.”

“So you’re just a Murim Alliance leader, not even an heir, and a Demon Sect Little Pill Master calling me?”

“I’m fine. I’m a broad-minded person.”

“You say that with your own mouth.”

“If I didn’t say it, how would you know I’m broad-minded? I’m too busy worrying about the world’s gaze to say it otherwise.”

“Seriously, you’re….”

“A person who can boast about himself and insult others at the same time.”

How to argue with Geom Mugeuk? Jin Ha-gun just shook his head in helplessness.

Geom Mugeuk stood and poured tea from a kettle on a corner table, then asked,

“Why did you call me?”

Jin Ha-gun hesitated to answer. Should he really talk about his master? Someone like his master.

Geom Mugeuk brought two cups of tea. His natural manner was like he was hosting Jin Ha-gun.

“I’ll guess why you called me.”

He stared down at the teacups, then suddenly said,

“You’re afraid you’ll have to kill that person yourself.”

“!”

Jin Ha-gun’s eyes widened.

“You called me because you couldn’t bring yourself to kill them. To use my blade instead.”

Unexpected words, but strikingly true.

Jin Ha-gun admitted he had recalled Geom Mugeuk’s words deep inside — that he might have to kill his master. That premonition never left him.

“Why didn’t you tell the leader such an important matter?”

In Geom Mugeuk’s serious gaze, Jin Ha-gun felt it was time to reveal everything.

“You wouldn’t believe me. Even if you did, I thought the person would notice first during this investigation. There are many eyes and ears of his within the Alliance.”

“Who is that person?”

Finally, Jin Ha-gun revealed.

“My master.”

Geom Mugeuk had never known about this master.

“You had a master?”

“It wasn’t known outside. My master hated being known by the world.”

One thing was certain. When Hwamugi defeated the Murim Alliance leader and killed him and his bloodline, his master was not among the victims. At least, not someone who died protecting his disciple.

“This case taught me one thing — our master is strange.”

“That’s true. Masters are always strange. Mine wants to punch down cliffs.”

Whether Geom Mugeuk was joking or serious, that was truly how Jin Ha-gun felt.

“I’d rather have a master strange like that.”

“How is he strange? Tell me more.”

“There’s no solid evidence. Just a feeling. But since he called you… maybe the stranger is me.”

“It’s not strange — he’s just too smart.”

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, Jin Ha-gun raised his head.

“What do you mean?”

“This whole thing was clearly strange even to me. It was strange from the start that the Cheonhwa Sect leader asked for help from your side.”

“Maybe my master was close to the Cheonhwa Sect leader?”

“Then tell me — did your master mention revenge?”

Jin Ha-gun’s heart dropped. He had been so focused on his master’s discomfort he had missed that.

He shook his head. That wasn’t the only thing he had missed.

“Did he mourn the Cheonhwa Sect leader’s death? Did he ask who killed him?”

No mourning, no questions. Why hadn’t he thought of this? Such a basic thought. Suddenly Geom Mugeuk’s words came to mind:

―The closer the person, the less clearly you see.

When something happens, rather than objective judgment, many memories and relationships come first.

“So what did your master say?”

“To take back the Cheonhwa Sect. He told me to find a way.”

“Why would the Cheonhwa Sect leader ask for help from your master who’s on the Cheonma Sin Gyo side? What kind of relationship is that? Even objectively, isn’t it strange? Your master — the disciple of the Murim Alliance leader’s grandson — having an inexplicable connection to the Cheonhwa Sect under the Cheonma Sin Gyo? Your instincts worked well. Your choice to call me was excellent.”

Geom Mugeuk continued praising.

“So I look forward to the day you become the Alliance leader. I want to work with someone as wise as you.”

Geom Mugeuk constantly provoked him. No wonder he was the first thought in a crisis. The man who /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ came even in his dreams to give him faith.

Jin Ha-gun no longer hesitated or faltered.

“What should I do now?”

Until the end, Geom Mugeuk was the voice inside Jin Ha-gun’s heart.

“They want to toy with you, so you must become a dangerous toy.”