Have you ever experienced anything like this in your life as a martial artist?

Right beside you stands the Little Pill Master of the Demon Sect, behind you the Pill Master of the Demon Sect’s branch, behind him the Demon Sword Corps—the elite of the Demon Sect—and further back, the branch’s martial artists.

Have you ever walked leading such a group?

Juyang felt as if he were dreaming. He was oddly proud and felt good.

Then suddenly he became afraid. Any one of them alone would cause chaos among ordinary martial artists.

The fearful thought made Juyang glance at Geom Mugeuk walking beside him. Whether it was the first time he came to borrow money or now after being revealed as the Little Pill Master, Geom Mugeuk was the same. He neither acted arrogantly nor cruelly. How could a person be like that?

Yet, Juyang didn’t dare speak to him.

He had preferred the times when they talked casually—when Geom Mugeuk was just a debtor.

Lost in such foolish thoughts, they soon arrived at Jeokpae’s manor.

Juyang lowered his voice and whispered confidentially.

“I’ll get the door opened.”

Before he even finished,

Bang!

A Demon Sword warrior smashed the door down, and demons rushed inside.

From all directions, swordsmen popped out and startled. The Demon Sword demons emitted their dark energy, revealing who they were.

“If you don’t want to die, everyone leave now.”

As the swordsmen hesitated, looking at each other,

The Demon Sword demon who gave the warning swung his sword. A blade of sword energy sliced through the stone tower standing before the garden behind them.

That single stone tower saved them all. The demons kicked the crowd fleeing toward the entrance, forcing them out. They ran away clutching their heads.

The Demon Sword demons showed no restraint. They smashed down the second door, and from the rooftops all around, hidden weapons rained down.

The leading demons lightly swung their swords, deflecting the thrown weapons.

“From now on, one more thrown weapon and you die.”

Those who threw weapons from the rooftops froze. Only now did they confirm their opponents were demons.

“You fools! Look who you’re throwing at!”

Geom Mugeuk made a comment as he passed, and demons followed him. Those who had thrown weapons fled in the opposite direction.

Watching, Juyang was bewildered by the strange scene.

He knew demons were frightening, but not to this degree. Every time he passed here, he’d been terrified. Jeokpae’s fortress was a promenade for the demons.

Beyond the next door, about ten martial artists blocked their way.

They were the experts in joint attacks Jeokpae had bragged about. Juyang remembered Jeokpae’s sigh—whether lament or pride—that hundreds of nyang were spent monthly, all to protect their own lives with hard-earned money.

As they formed their sword formations and faced the demons, the Demon Sword Corps surged forward.

“Want to see what real joint attacks look like?”

The Demon Sword Corps didn’t need to form a sword formation to intimidate. They dispersed in all directions. Seeing this, Juyang shook his head.

‘Why the hell did they spend hundreds of nyang a month?’

Of course, he understood the terror when the Demon Sword Corps charged as invaders.

Though it looked like a chaotic, fearsome push, the demons moved with order. They appeared to be walking casually but were carefully monitoring their surroundings; when one moved, another filled the gap, maintaining formation. Their formations and tactics varied by terrain and opponent. Their movement was the product of long training.

The three men at the last gate were likely masters who cost thousands, not hundreds, of nyang.

“We are the Three Ghosts of Gangseo. Who dares—!”

Suddenly the first of the Three Ghosts recognized branch master Ho-gyeong.

“Why are you here?”

Ho-gyeong motioned him to hush and shook his head as if to say “Now is not your time.” That alone was enough warning.

“Thank you for letting us pass.”

It was a situation even a hundred ghosts couldn’t handle. Grateful for being spared, the Three Ghosts left.

Thus, without shedding a drop of blood, they reached deep into the inner courtyard.

The last door was open, and Jeokpae awaited in the yard.

He bowed with as calm a face as possible.

“Honored guests, welcome.”

Jeokpae hadn’t fled because he misunderstood the situation.

He thought the one impersonating demons had been dealt with, and the real demons had arrived. Naturally, with Juyang present, this was the assumption.

“If you had warned me beforehand, this mistake wouldn’t have happened. My subordinates were quite rude. I apologize.”

Jeokpae cautiously surveyed the visitors. He confirmed branch master Ho-gyeong was present, but the Demon Sword Great Lord was absent.

He had suspected that when he asked Jungak to handle this matter, he would use the branch master. Sure enough, the branch master was used in today’s affair.

“He pockets all the money himself!”

Jeokpae found the current situation puzzling. The Ho-gyeong he knew didn’t take bribes. Why had the interest come here?

Jeokpae glanced at Juyang. He had secretly sent him to die.

“What a tough bastard. Well, just die while working.”

Jeokpae asked with his eyes what this situation was. What could Juyang say? He just turned his head to avoid the gaze.

Then Geom Mugeuk offered Jeokpae a coin.

“Here, take it.”

“What is this?”

“Interest.”

Jeokpae’s chest dropped at once. The two coins placed atop his subordinate’s corpse came to mind, and a dreadful premonition swept over him.

“I told you to take it.”

As Jeokpae mindlessly accepted,

Whoooosh!

The heavy coin slammed his hand onto the floor.

“Aaaargh!”

He screamed, but no one came to help.

“Here, one more. Take this too.”

Jeokpae looked up at Geom Mugeuk in pain.

“Wh-why are you doing this?”

“Why else? Because he borrowed money, so he pays interest.”

“You don’t have to accept it.”

“Don’t you have an inner palace? You need interest to maintain it.”

“Please forgive me! Spare me!”

But he couldn’t refuse. Another invisible hand opened, and

Whoooosh!

Bang!

That hand was crushed too.

Lying face up with palms raised looked like a bowing posture toward the sky. Having lived without pain, he made a fuss over hurting.

Juyang understood.

The reason Geom Mugeuk made Jeokpae take the coins instead of killing him outright was to show him: the interest each of you will pay from now on carries this heavy burden.

Juyang bowed with an expression of understanding.

Then Geom Mugeuk lightly swung his sword.

Thwack!

Jeokpae’s head shattered instantly, and he died. His life, spent destroying many others for money alone, came to an end. Though he earned plenty, it was a lonely death with nothing left.

Geom Mugeuk called all the Tongjeonso subordinates.

After lining them up, he introduced Juyang.

“From now on, the owner of this Tongjeonso is Juyang here. Anyone unhappy can leave now. They will be spared.”

Some who disliked Juyang left immediately. Others who wanted to quit saw this as their chance and left too. Those who wanted to leave went away.

Geom Mugeuk firmly warned the remaining.

“Follow the new master well.”

“Yes!”

And just like that, the Tongjeonso’s master changed overnight.

Ho-gyeong admired Geom Mugeuk’s bold moves. This was not just skill; it was someone who clearly understood what they were doing and what must be done next.

“Well, let’s all drink to today.”

Ho-gyeong was happy but worried.

“All the core forces of the Demon Sect’s Gangseo branch are here today. Shouldn’t we send some troops back?”

“Are you worried the Satan Alliance might try something?”

“I sent word separately, so that’s unlikely... but this is a first.”

He had probably worried about the Satan Alliance every day since his appointment. Being tense and sensitive in this situation was natural.

“No need to worry. The Satan Alliance isn’t what it used to be.”

Geom Mugeuk’s confidence came from his confidants. If he heard this news, he would rush to the tavern with ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ his men, not open an armory.

A large drinking party was arranged at the training grounds.

Jeokpae brought all his best alcohol, and they ordered all sorts of dishes from the famous inns and taverns of Juyang.

Such a gathering drinking together was rare, especially with both branch warriors and the Demon Sword Corps mingling for the first time.

When everyone’s cups were filled, Geom Mugeuk raised his cup loudly.

“Now, let’s forget all worldly affairs and drink to our heart’s content!”

Everyone drank heartily.

The Demon Sword demons’ gaze toward Geom Mugeuk was full of goodwill. The comfort he had given earlier and his overwhelming martial arts prowess.

Geom Mugeuk mingled easily with them.

He spoke of the main sect, of the Majon (demon tribes). Especially when discussing the Magun (demon army), their competitors, the demons’ eyes sparkled.

Not only that, stories of the Central Plains and new territories, his wide-ranging experience, and his unique humor had the demons engrossed, unaware of time passing.

Meanwhile, Juyang sat quietly beside Geom Mugeuk. Even needing to urinate, he didn’t go. If he left, someone else might take his seat. What if he had to sit among the demons? He’d rather wet himself than lose his place! He desperately guarded his spot next to Geom Mugeuk.

After a long time chatting with the demons, Geom Mugeuk went quietly to Ho-gyeong, who was drinking alone. When Juyang tried to follow, Geom Mugeuk left him behind, making Juyang look like he was left alone in hell.

“I’m tired from playing with the kids.”

Ho-gyeong laughed at that, and Geom Mugeuk smiled as he added,

“Considering age, you’re the youngest, but you say things like that?”

“You sound like the oldest person I know. When did you have such experience?”

“I just heard stories here and there.”

They finished their drinks. Ho-gyeong poured more for Geom Mugeuk and asked,

“How do you remember my past?”

“The moment I saw you, I remembered that day at the banquet. Your impressive words and that same face.”

“What words? I’m just old now.”

This time Geom Mugeuk refilled Ho-gyeong’s cup.

“It must be hard to keep track of everything so meticulously?”

“What can I do? I just can’t sleep otherwise.”

The strict rule-follower had his own sorrows. He did things for the good of all, but he was the one blamed. Didn’t he want peace too?

Geom Mugeuk emptied his cup and said,

“After doing hard work for a long time, sometimes the hardship becomes strength, right?”

This was how he had felt gathering materials for a great law before reincarnation.

At first it was lonely and hard. He would fall asleep hoping tomorrow would be better.

Then he thought: tomorrow will be hard too. Avoiding hardship only makes it worse. Tomorrow and the day after will be hard. Everyone has hardship, not just me.

After more time passed, he realized it was the hardship itself that grew him the most. It was a hateful enemy and also his only friend.

“That’s why you look strong, branch master.”

Ho-gyeong saw the depth in Geom Mugeuk’s eyes, beyond his years, and sensed he had endured much. Yes, as a successor, he must have faced all sorts of troubles.

“Stay strong, Little Pill Master!”

“Let’s stay strong together!”

The two talked late into the night about Gangseo branch affairs. Geom Mugeuk quietly listened.

In the backyard, they found Juyang.

Avoiding demons, he sat alone by a campfire.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, just sitting here.”

Geom Mugeuk sat beside him.

“They all drink well.”

“You haven’t seen drunk madness.”

Drunk madness, and demons who drink tirelessly, were from another world.

But he felt he’d miss this man. The one most distant even in that other world.

“Will I see the Little Pill Master again?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes often, sometimes not until death.”

“I’ll work hard, so if you come to Gangseo, please visit. I’ll make sure all reports related to work are sent.”

“Juyang.”

“Yes?”

Perhaps from the firelight or nerves, Juyang’s face was flushed.

“One day a crisis will come. That crisis will tempt you with these words: ‘Ah, life’s short anyway.’ Juyang, you’ve committed great sins. If you act foolishly, there’s no forgiveness. So if you feel temptation, come find me.”

“Are you telling me to come to the Demon Sect’s main branch?”

“Yes, come and find me at the main gate.”

Juyang imagined the scene briefly. Standing at the main gate, saying, “I came to see the Little Pill Master.” Then the demons at the gate would ask, “Who are you?” No, since you’re the Little Pill Master’s guest, “Who are you?” Then, “I’m just a loan shark from faraway Gangseo.” No, he didn’t want to imagine what would come next.

“I’ll work hard so I won’t need to visit.”

Juyang’s joke made Geom Mugeuk laugh. A Little Pill Master who laughs like this.

“Here, a final gift.”

Geom Mugeuk handed him two nyang.

Juyang accepted the money respectfully. The same two coins he had been receiving from Geom Mugeuk repeatedly. Now he was receiving them for the last time.

Clenching the coins tightly, Juyang asked,

“Why do you treat a mere loan shark like me so well?”

“I hear that often.”

Geom Mugeuk stared into the campfire and said,

“Maybe I am that kind of person.”

Juyang sprang up and bowed deeply to Geom Mugeuk.

“I will never forget the grace of a new life you have given me. Whether I’m a pine caterpillar, maggot, or larva, whatever I am, I will definitely spread my wings once.”

Geom Mugeuk silently watched the sparks dancing up from the fire.

Two days later, Geom Mugeuk bade farewell to Ho-gyeong and the Gangseo branch demons.

“Are you returning to the main branch?”

“Staying longer would only get in your way.”

Ho-gyeong said nothing, and Geom Mugeuk joked,

“You really think so.”

“Because I’m not someone to be bossed around.”

They smiled at each other.

“The main branch will choose a new Demon Sword Great Lord soon.”

“I guess I’ll have another tough fight.”

A day will come when hardship becomes strength.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze conveyed this to Ho-gyeong.

As long as Ho-gyeong remained, the Gangseo branch had nothing to worry about.

Thus, the Gangseo branch inspection was complete.

After parting from the Gangseo branch, Geom Mugeuk went to the horseman Pyeonjung’s house.

“I’m looking for a skilled horseman.”

Pyeonjung had just learned from the Tongjeonso that he no longer needed to repay money. Any excess interest over the principal would be calculated and returned.

In disbelief, he cried in the arms of his wife. The children cried too, not understanding why.

Puffy-eyed, Pyeonjung realized somehow the man before him had done this.

Bowing his head, Pyeonjung silently gave his deep thanks.

“Where shall I take you?”

Then came the most dangerous destination in Pyeonjung’s career.

“The Demon Sect main branch.”

When he first heard they would go to the Gangseo branch of the Demon Sect, his heart had dropped.

But now he was unafraid. Smiling brightly, he repaid the favor with what he did best.

“I’ll make sure you get there safely.”