Moonlight settled quietly on the outskirts of Cheonma Sin Gyo.

Hyeol Cheon Doma had plunged the Myeolcheon Great Sword into the yard and was leaning against it while drinking. After all, drinking was most enjoyable when resting against the Myeolcheon Great Sword.

At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind.

“You always had a book in your hand, but today it’s a wine cup?”

A smile spread across Hyeol Cheon Doma’s lips as he drank.

Geom Mugeuk sat down beside him. At first, they always faced each other, but now sitting side by side felt more comfortable.

“Pour me a drink too.”

Geom Mugeuk drank the wine that Hyeol Cheon Doma offered.

“Ah, this is good.”

“You must be busy with your affairs?”

“No matter how busy, you have to see the people you want to see. You must have been bored without me.”

“If I’m bored, I read a book. If still bored, I drink.”

“And your master?”

“He’s training in the backyard.”

Since he couldn’t attend the late-night training meeting, it seemed he was training alone. Now that I think about it, Cheon Sohee must be training alone too. Or rather, maybe she’s enjoying her freedom and playing by herself.

“What’s on your mind?”

He was remarkably perceptive.

“Are you reading the heavens’ signs?”

“An old man should have some sense. Why? Has the righteous martial world mobilized to capture you? Did they even lay out a net of heavenly and earthly traps?”

“If that were true, it wouldn’t even be a concern. Run, elder! One word is enough.”

When my mind grows tangled, the person I seek is always Hyeol Cheon Doma. Not to find an answer, but just being with him like this calms me. Often, through such talks, answers come.

Pouring another drink, Hyeol Cheon Doma said,

“Don’t try too hard to do well.”

“Do I look like I’m trying?”

He nodded. Apparently, I had unknowingly become tense. Since it was related to Hwa Mugi, I had to be truly cautious.

“Do you think you’ll die wishing you’d done better? No way. People die thinking they should have seen that person once more, said one more good word. That’s life.”

The more you get to know Hyeol Cheon Doma, the more unexpected facets you see.

When I first met him, who would have imagined he’d say such things? Of course, meeting me changed him in part, but I think it’s because he’s read many books.

“Then I’m doing well. I came to see you to avoid regrets.”

Though pleased inside, Hyeol Cheon Doma did not forget his usual saying.

“You think too much. A liar, a drinker, a fighter, a duelist—you’re probably thinking of those.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled and looked up at the moon.

“Hidden behind this great sword, but right at the front is always you, elder.”

Hyeol Cheon Doma laughed and looked at the moon with him.

“What do you regret most, elder?”

His eyes darkened slightly. Was he recalling his youth, when he might have had a good relationship with Ilhwa Geomjon? Or was there some other unspeakable regret?

“I have no regrets or lingering attachments.”

A faint smile appeared on Geom Mugeuk’s lips. Yes, I hope he lives a life without regrets—not just in words, but truly without regrets.

“I met Jin Ha-gun’s master today.”

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, Hyeol Cheon Doma’s gaze sharpened. He knew Baek Cheon-gyeong held the key to this matter.

“How was he?”

“He’s no ordinary person. Both his mind and martial skills.”

Hyeol Cheon Doma nodded.

“If that weren’t true, we wouldn’t be here.”

“No matter how we handle it, we must be cautious.”

“It won’t be easy. Even if you’re careful, the other side won’t be.”

“What do you mean?”

Then Hyeol Cheon Doma said something unexpected.

“If they make you an enemy, they’ll inevitably become anxious and fearful.”

“Feels good to hear praise from you after a long time. Give me more compliments! Don’t worry, I won’t get arrogant.”

“You should be more like that.”

Geom Mugeuk laughed loudly, and Hyeol Cheon Doma laughed along.

They drank together.

It would be nice if it were always this pleasant, but Geom Mugeuk had a reason for coming today.

He took something from his bosom.

“Have you seen this before?”

It was a doll taken from Baek Cheon-gyeong’s workshop.

Hyeol Cheon Doma shook his head.

“An unpleasant-looking thing.”

Its body was perfectly carved, but the face was empty, making it look even more eerie.

“Do you know about the Mokhyeong Cheonhon Technique?”

Upon hearing the name, Hyeol Cheon Doma was startled. His gaze immediately fixed on the wooden doll.

“Could it be that this doll is used in that martial art?”

As expected, Hyeol Cheon Doma knew about the Mokhyeong Cheonhon Technique. He was very knowledgeable about various sects and martial arts in the Murim world.

“Baek Cheon-gyeong was mastering it. He also carved this doll.”

“No way!”

Hyeol Cheon Doma’s surprise had a reason.

“The Mokhyeong Cheonhon Technique was a secret art of the Mokcheon family. But the Mokcheon family was already exterminated. And someone who learned that art is still alive?”

“Exterminated?”

Geom Mugeuk knew about the technique but was unaware that the family was destroyed.

“It was wiped out over ten years ago.”

“How was it wiped out?”

Hyeol Cheon Doma shook his head.

“Almost nothing is known. Like a mysterious sect, even their end was shrouded in secrecy.”

Baek Cheon-gyeong is a descendant of the exterminated Mokcheon family? An unexpected truth revealed.

“The disciple of the Murim Alliance leader’s grandson is a descendant of the exterminated Mokcheon family? Definitely no ordinary matter.”

“Jin Ha-gun doesn’t know this at all. I expect the Murim Alliance leader doesn’t either.”

“I heard the secret arts of the Mokcheon family are as secretive and subtle as the forest’s energy. If hidden on purpose, it could remain unknown. But how did you find out?”

“The Fire Illusion Martial Art reacted. It seems the martial foundation of Mokhyeong Cheonhon Technique originates from the Fire Illusion.”

The Fire Illusion Martial Art is the absolute supreme martial art above all others.

A descendant of the exterminated mysterious sect infiltrated the Murim Alliance? Not an ordinary identity, but the disciple of the alliance leader’s grandson, and with Hwa Mugi behind him?

“What should I do? Give me an answer, elder!”

No matter how much I exaggerated, Hyeol Cheon Doma had no answer to give.

“I don’t know. I’ve lived killing without thinking of the aftermath.”

Raising his cup, Hyeol Cheon Doma added,

“That’s why it’s hard for the weak to kill, and hard for the strong to save.”

At the same time, Jin Ha-ryeong was meeting Jin Ha-gun.

“How did it go?”

Jin Ha-gun hesitated before answering his sister’s question. Saying his master didn’t consider him a disciple was hard to say. So he only relayed part of what Geom Mugeuk had said.

“He said he doesn’t know well yet since it’s their first meeting.”

Jin Ha-ryeong sensed two emotions simultaneously from her brother’s expression: anger and hope. She could guess who each was directed at.

“Brother.”

“Why?”

She wanted to tell him she believed in him. So he should believe in himself. But she knew Jin Ha-gun’s personality. Such words would only hurt his pride and have the opposite effect now.

“Seems like even you’re a warrior.”

“What do you mean?”

“When a crisis comes, your eyes sparkle brightly.”

Jin Ha-gun smiled bitterly. The sparkling eyes were hers. Without looking at her longing, he already knew what kind of look he had.

“But don’t try to bear the burden alone. Doing everything alone to look cool—I think that’s just pretension.”

The little kid who always cried to be carried on his back had already grown to comfort me.

“If brother ever struggles, maybe it’s because his faith is uncertain.”

“What do you mean?”

“To believe in Geom Mugeuk, you have to believe firmly, but you can’t yet. What if you just believed fully? You asked for help anyway.”

“What if everything is taken away?”

“Then isn’t it better not to believe and still lose everything?”

“!”

“Whenever I saw Geom Mugeuk, I never felt the door was closed. It was wide open. I felt I couldn’t just barge in recklessly. If the other side can open it anyway, wouldn’t it be better to remove a flimsy lock? Ah, I talked too much. Rest now.”

As she was about to leave, Jin Ha-gun said,

“Thank you.”

Jin Ha-ryeong felt her brother growing. No longer losing temper or pride. If it had been before... well, then it wouldn’t even be the mood to say such things.

She pretended, like Jin Ha-gun once did comparing himself to Geom Mugeuk, or even more so as if carrying a bigger burden in her heart.

“To me, brother, you are this great!”

The next day, I visited Baek Cheon-gyeong.

He was not surprised at all, as if he had expected my visit.

“You are idle, Little Pill Master.”

Knowing he was a descendant of the exterminated Mokcheon family gave me a different impression than when I first saw him.

Baek Cheon-gyeong, what exactly are you doing here?

Even the same question feels different. And I knew I wouldn’t get an answer from him. After leaving Hyeol Cheon Doma’s place last night, I immediately sent an urgent message to Gowol. It was a dispatch to cooperate with Tongcheongak and obtain all information related to the Mokcheon family. I would hear the response from Gowol.

“Unless it’s war with you, why would the Little Pill Master be busy?”

“Do I have time? Even meeting Ha-ryeong is difficult.”

“Jin Dae-ju is desperately blocking it. He says you can never meet your sister without master’s permission. The moment you contact her, war will break out.”

“As the Little Pill Master of the demonic sect walking freely through the Murim Alliance, I suppose war breaking out is frightening.”

“I wasn’t scared of that obvious threat. I understand Jin Dae-ju trying to protect his sister as a man.”

Baek Cheon-gyeong turned and entered. Leaving the door open meant inviting me in, so I followed, grumbling unnecessarily.

“This isn’t right. Your sister clearly invited you.”

Baek Cheon-gyeong pretended not to hear and sat down, starting to carve wood. Since I arrived, that was all he showed me.

But now I understood how frightening this moment was. Each time we met, he created subordinates.

While carving, he asked,

“If I tell you not to meet, will you leave?”

I wandered around the workshop casually and replied as if it didn’t matter.

“Would I?”

I didn’t think so. He would try to use me for his benefit somehow.

“Of course. You must obey your disciple’s will.”

“You must care °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° a lot about your disciple.”

Baek Cheon-gyeong neither confirmed nor denied. What does he really think of Jin Ha-gun deep inside? Is he just going to use him and discard him? Or does he truly consider him a disciple?

“I won’t back down until I let you meet her. I’m the kind of person who tries again.”

Then he pulled off the cloth covering the display stand. The positions of the dolls had changed from yesterday.

All the dolls formed a circle in a formation surrounding someone. Some had weapons drawn and were attacking — clearly preparing to strike an enemy.

But at the center, no doll stood.

“Whose spot is this?”

“That depends on who comes out. It could be you, or it could be Ha-gun.”

“Why do you leave that one out?”

Baek Cheon-gyeong looked up and stared at me.

“Didn’t you say yesterday you weren’t here to kill me?”

“That’s right.”

“Then you’re likely the one.”

I took the doll from my bosom. It was the same faceless doll I brought yesterday.

“Or it could be this person.”

He didn’t comment on knowing I had taken it.

“I want to carve this doll’s face.”

He immediately reacted to this. Baek Cheon-gyeong looked at me and asked,

“Who will you carve?”

“Since you made this, you must know who it is.”

Our eyes met, entangled in the air.

“It could be anyone.”

“Will you teach me how to carve? I want to complete it.”

He resumed carving wood as if not worth answering.

Scritch-scratch.

I put the faceless doll back in my bosom.

Then I grabbed another carving knife and wood on the workbench and imitated him.

“This carving knife is still a knife, right? I’m someone with expertise in using knives.”

I roughly followed what he did.

Would what I made also move? Probably. It was still made of wood. Or maybe, since he didn’t make it himself, it wouldn’t move according to his command.

“This is harder than it looks.”

After a long time carving, I showed him the roughly shaped figure.

“How is it? Does it look decent?”

Baek Cheon-gyeong seemed utterly baffled by me.

“What’s your real purpose?”

“To win Jin Sojeo’s heart.”

He was half believing, half doubting. Not quite trusting, yet wondering why I acted this way.

“If you allow me to meet her, I will repay you.”

“Repay?”

“If something comes, something should go back.”

“I don’t want to accept anything from a devil, no matter how much money.”

“What if I offered something more important than money?”

Curiosity flickered across Baek Cheon-gyeong’s face.

“For example, the Tianhe Sect?”

Unexpected, his eyes flickered with surprise.

“I know you connected the Tianhe Sect leader and Jin Dae-ju. Why did you move for the Tianhe Sect leader?”

Mentioning the Tianhe Sect unexpectedly, I gauged his reaction.

“I was just trying to save the Tianhe Sect leader’s son from your grasp.”

“You must know that son was an evil man. Aren’t you righteous?”

“Good and evil are relative concepts. Honestly, I feel you’re the greater evil.”

“That’s right. Definitely relative. I feel you’re more evil than I am.”

A faint smile curved his lips—either a mocking denial or reluctant acceptance.

Ending the conversation there, Baek Cheon-gyeong’s gaze returned to the wooden dolls.

Scritch-scratch.

He kept endlessly creating subordinates. What on earth did he plan to do with all these dolls?

“I’ll come to learn again tomorrow.”

After Geom Mugeuk left, Baek Cheon-gyeong finally completed the doll he had been carving.

After fiddling with it briefly, he stood and slowly walked to the display stand.

“This doll could be anyone...”

Baek Cheon-gyeong placed the doll in the center of the circle of other dolls and spoke in a tone as subdued as his gaze.

“Anyone could come here.”

The completed doll was a young woman.