Jin Ha-ryeong’s body was at the banquet hall, but her mind was elsewhere.

Even while greeting and talking with the Late Qi members, she kept thinking about Geom Mugeuk and Ian. Ian’s beautiful figure came to mind, and she felt her gi-do. She also recalled Geom Mugeuk standing beside her.

“Is my brother doing well?”

Given the situation, she couldn’t pay attention to the Late Qi members who showed her favor.

Among them were handsome men and strong martial artists. But thinking of Geom Mugeuk made them all look like children. A side effect of knowing Geom Mugeuk.

After what felt like a long, long meeting, she returned to her quarters where Jin Ha-gun was waiting.

“Brother!”

She never expected to feel so glad to see her brother.

“I was just about to come find you. How did it go?”

Jin Ha-gun’s expression wasn’t bad, so it seemed things had gone well.

Instead of answering, Jin Ha-gun asked her,

“How was the meeting?”

“Memorizing names and faces, listening to endless bragging, pretending to be close, then shouting ‘Down with the Demon Sect!’, ‘Let’s beat the Apostle Alliance!’ It’s the same old boring stuff.”

“That boring stuff will one day protect the Murim Alliance.”

“The Murim is your job to protect. My role ends here.”

“If the Demon Sect takes over Murim, do you think there will be anywhere to hide?”

Brother was also suffering side effects — a product of living as the grandson of the Alliance leader. The fear that the Demon Sect or Apostle Alliance might invade had rooted deep in his heart since childhood.

“Do you really think Geom Mugeuk dreams of unifying Murim? While wiping us all out?”

She couldn’t imagine such a thing. The image of Geom Mugeuk standing atop a mountain of corpses was too surreal.

“I don’t know what kind of person he is. But one thing’s certain — if he dreams of unifying Murim, it won’t be easy to stop him.”

That was no longer their grandfather’s battle. It was the battle of Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong’s generation.

“You can never know whether to trust someone during the process. Trust is only proven when results come. We’re still in the process.”

This applied to both her relationship with their master and with Geom Mugeuk. Even if a hundred things go well, if the true colors come out at the end, it’s disaster.

“Oh, so you can say things like that too? Impressive, brother of mine!”

After a moment, Jin Ha-gun said,

“That’s what Geom Mugeuk said.”

“Ah!”

She briefly became solemn but then laughed loudly.

“Our proud brother finally found his match.”

Jin Ha-gun didn’t get angry or annoyed at such words.

She was the only person he could open his heart to, the only one with whom he could have such sensitive talks comfortably.

“What do you think of that man?”

Jin Ha-ryeong was curious about how her brother thought of Geom Mugeuk.

Jin Ha-gun also had much to say about Geom Mugeuk. He was someone reliable, but how much could he truly trust?

Still, Jin Ha-gun accepted him.

“He’s on a different scale from me.”

He held out one hand and curled # Nоvеlight # his fingers as if holding a small ball.

“If I’m this size of a person—”

This time he formed a large ball in front of his chest with both hands.

“Geom Mugeuk is this size. To face and win against him, you have to start by accepting this.”

After meeting Geom Mugeuk, brother had clearly changed. That he, proud as he was, said such a thing meant he had changed.

Jin Ha-ryeong liked this change but also worried. She feared he might fall too deeply for Geom Mugeuk.

“Can you handle it?”

“I have to try. If I can’t now, I never will.”

Jin Ha-gun’s eyes were resolute. Though he accepted help now, he would never be swayed by Geom Mugeuk.

“Watch how I surpass him.”

Jin Ha-ryeong clenched her fist with a look of trust.

Then Jin Ha-gun asked,

“How about you? It’s been a while since you saw Geom Mugeuk.”

The clenched fist slowly relaxed.

“It’s the same old story there. Always surprised and flustered. But today, he wasn’t the problem.”

This time Jin Ha-ryeong imitated her brother.

“If I’m this beautiful, today I met someone this beautiful.”

Watching her brother’s disbelief, Jin Ha-ryeong smiled.

“Realized Hubei was just a vast well.”

Jin Ha-gun arrived at Baek Cheon-gyeong’s workshop.

At the door, he recalled Geom Mugeuk’s advice.

―Don’t be cautious; act as usual. Rather than trying to look good, subtly show dissatisfaction over this matter. That way, he won’t be suspicious.

But Baek Cheon-gyeong was not there.

Just as he was about to leave, he glanced at the display stand. The dolls placed there were covered with black cloth. Sometimes they covered it like this. But this time the cloth seemed different.

As Jin Ha-gun slowly approached to lift the cloth, he sensed someone behind him.

Turning, Baek Cheon-gyeong stood at the door.

“Master.”

“You’re here?”

Curious about the contents under the cloth, Jin Ha-gun left it alone and walked to his master.

Baek Cheon-gyeong passed by and sat at his place, starting to carve.

Scratch scratch.

Lately, master spent more time carving. It seemed a mere hobby before.

Why carve when the display case was covered with cloth?

“Well, have you thought about how to reclaim Cheonhwa Sect?”

His gaze remained fixed on the doll he was carving.

“I intend to persuade Cheonhwa Sect’s martial artists who support the righteous faction. Cheonhwa Sect has long maintained neutrality, so their loyalty to the Demon Sect isn’t strong. Of course, it’s the same for our own Alliance and the Apostle Alliance. As the atmosphere varies depending on the sect leader and leadership, it will take time, but if we can persuade the righteous martial artists within Cheonhwa Sect…”

While speaking, Jin Ha-gun carefully observed his master’s every move. He felt his words were not being absorbed.

Was master really just waiting for him to find a way?

As if to deny that, Baek Cheon-gyeong cut him off.

“Aren’t you ashamed of your pride?”

In a calm tone, he provoked Jin Ha-gun.

“The three legitimate heirs gathered together. Two returned with rich gifts, but you came back empty-handed.”

Comparing him with other heirs by mentioning pride? Jin Ha-gun was angry but answered calmly.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of pride. Originally, Honam was their territory. Cheonhwa Sect’s son was ruthless. There was no gift of mine from the start.”

He faithfully followed Geom Mugeuk’s advice, refusing to blindly agree with his master’s opinion.

“Master, why is Cheonhwa Sect so important?”

“Do you think I’m doing this because of Cheonhwa Sect?”

“Not?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

Then an astonishing answer came from Baek Cheon-gyeong.

“To prevent war.”

Hearing ‘war’, Jin Ha-gun froze.

“What do you mean?”

“Honam has been a strategic key point bordering Hubei, where the Murim Alliance’s main headquarters is. A large neutral sect there has fallen to the Demon Sect. The balance is broken.”

“Saying war will break out is too extreme, isn’t it?”

“Why does the main Alliance exist? To prevent that slim chance. Wars start with minor incidents. You’ve greatly increased the chance of war. Because of your ambition to become Alliance leader.”

Jin Ha-gun was silent. If this had been before meeting Geom Mugeuk, he would have fully accepted his master’s words and blamed himself for his ambition.

But not now. No matter how convincing it sounded, it was for later judgment.

Hiding his true feelings, Jin Ha-gun asked with a feigned troubled face,

“Then what should I do now?”

His master’s answer was cold.

“Why ask me? You caused it, so find your own answer.”

Scratch scratch.

Baek Cheon-gyeong resumed carving. Knowing it was a silent clay doll, Jin Ha-gun bowed quietly and left, thinking he still didn’t understand his master well.

“Lower your arm a little more, put more strength in your left leg.”

Geom Mugeuk was watching Ian’s basic moves.

Ian’s Bi Cheon Sword Technique, which he hadn’t seen for a while, had improved. But she still needed more effort and time to reach Great Success. She had to refine the form through training. So that when the time comes, it would bloom like a flower bud bursting.

“Put more strength in your waist. If your center collapses, all your posture falls.”

Their training was happening at the villa Geom Mugeuk had prepared.

“Focus! Why are you so unfocused today?”

“Sorry.”

Today, she couldn’t focus on martial arts training. The reason unknown.

“This isn’t a common opportunity. Concentrate!”

Ian swung her sword with all her might. After one round of training, Ian apologized again.

“Sorry, Young Master.”

Geom Mugeuk expected a scolding but surprisingly said,

“That was better. Sometimes you don’t seem human. People sometimes can’t focus and make mistakes. That’s how it should be.”

“Thanks for saying that, but I still regret it. You taught me martial arts in person after a long time.”

“I’ll teach you often until you reach Great Success. Don’t worry.”

Ian happily swayed like dancing. Compared to her stiff self at first reincarnation, she seemed freer now.

Yes, little by little, that’s how change comes. Accumulating until one day life is different. Ian, you won’t die in a pool of blood this life. I’ll let you live dancing like now.

Ian asked as she flitted around like a child,

“But Young Master, did you really bring Jin Sojeo to introduce her?”

“No.”

“Then why bring her?”

“Why? I just wanted an excuse to hang out with you after a long time.”

Ian looked back at her own hip.

“A few of my tails are gone. You took them, didn’t you?”

Knowing this was a perfect answer, Geom Mugeuk pretended to stroke his own tail.

“Actually, I had more tails from the start.”

They laughed together when Jin Ha-gun arrived.

He expected Geom Mugeuk alone but saw the woman too. He waited at a distance, not approaching.

“Come in.”

Geom Mugeuk called him, and Jin Ha-gun approached.

Meanwhile, Ian put on her mask. Of course, the mask couldn’t hide her beauty.

“I’m Ian, serving the Little Pill Master.”

“I’m Jin Ha-gun, leader of the Demon Slaughter Corps.”

“Then talk.”

“See you next time.”

Ian politely bowed and went inside.

Jin Ha-gun immediately knew who his sister’s ‘great beauty’ referred to.

He quietly asked Geom Mugeuk,

“Did you fall for her?”

Jin Ha-gun looked at Geom Mugeuk as if asking ‘What nonsense?’

“No need to be shy. A man falling for a beauty is natural. I get it.”

“Do you fall for every woman you meet?”

That couldn’t just pass. It was like drawing a sword before Geom Mugeuk.

“I might fall at first sight.”

“I don’t. I don’t give my heart to someone I don’t even know.”

It was probably true, so Geom Mugeuk attacked another angle.

“Ah, Ian. You have to work harder. You weren’t beautiful enough to move this iron wall of a man’s heart. I’ll tell her that. You weren’t beautiful enough to move him.”

Jin Ha-gun was embarrassed.

“Don’t say that! Don’t pass that on!”

“Isn’t it true? How dare you talk about beauty to me! Not beautiful enough to move me!”

“No! She is beautiful enough.”

“Then, did you fall?”

Jin Ha-gun shook his head as if he lost.

“Think what you want.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled like a winner.

After the playful talk, Jin Ha-gun began to talk about visiting his master.

“I saw master.”

He relayed their conversation exactly.

Geom Mugeuk pondered briefly. Jin Ha-gun felt a strange tension. It was a completely different Geom Mugeuk from before.

Soon, whatever Geom Mugeuk was about to say, Jin Ha-gun knew he would have to say as well — to be able to face him.

“Did that conversation shake your heart?”

“Maybe master truly acted for Murim peace.”

“Nonsense. If he sought Murim peace, he wouldn’t have tried to save Cheonhwa Sect’s son. Think about it. The Demon Sect Little Pill Master pressured the Murim Alliance to get someone he had taken to punish. We passed it off as a test from father. But if we had reacted harshly, what then? That would have brought us one step closer to war.”

Jin Ha-gun nodded. He regretted not telling his master that.

“I have to see your master myself.”

“Are you serious?”

Geom Mugeuk nodded. It wouldn’t be easy to draw out his true self through Jin Ha-gun. The master was very cautious.

“How? Master will never want to meet you.”

He had lived a secretive life until now. Even Geom Mugeuk probably couldn’t find a way to see him.

Then another person entered. It was Jin Ha-ryeong.

“You’re here too, brother.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Nothing for you two. I came to see this martial artist.”

Geom Mugeuk said to her,

“Ian is in the room at the end of the hallway. Oh, tell Ian — she still hasn’t moved your brother’s heart yet…”

“Stop!”

Jin Ha-gun urgently interrupted. Jin Ha-ryeong, who roughly guessed the situation, said to Geom Mugeuk,

“Even if you toy with him, be sure to put him back in his place.”

“Of course. The most dangerous toy in Murim.”

Jin Ha-ryeong didn’t understand what this meant, so Jin Ha-gun gestured to ignore her and go inside quickly.

When she went in, Jin Ha-gun said seriously,

“Will you keep playing around at a time this important?”

“I figured out how to meet your master.”

To the shocked and flustered Jin Ha-gun, Geom Mugeuk said meaningfully,

“I thought of it thanks to your sister.”