I walked with Cheongseon through the inner courtyard.

“As I told you before, I consider myself a Demon Warrior because of you, Little Pill Master.”

“I appreciate your words, but Seophon, your position as Demon Warrior is due to your own ability.”

“That’s probably why I came to see you today. Because you are someone who trusts me.”

After reaching a secluded place, I asked her,

“What brings you here?”

Cheongseon hesitated and couldn’t speak easily. Though she had gathered courage to come, words seemed stuck.

Was it because of martial arts?

Even though Master Pungcheon taught her, he was currently absent, so she must be struggling with some parts.

Or was it...? A certain name related to her came to mind.

After a long pause, she finally spoke. I hoped it was the former, but her worry was the latter.

“Before becoming a Demon Warrior, I dated a man. He is Saujong of the Bukcheon Sword family.”

I already knew they had dated. I had even once used that fact to send her to Master Pungcheon.

In my previous life before regression, Saujong was tricked by Seophon Technique and tried to kill Ilhwa Sword Master but ended up dead instead. After his death, it was revealed he had feelings for Ilhwa Sword Master, but the person who cast Seophon Technique on him was never discovered. Of course, now I knew that person was Cheongseon herself.

“After rising to Demon Warrior, I broke up with him. Still, he wouldn’t let go and kept lurking nearby. After some time passed and I thought he had forgotten me, he suddenly came to threaten me—saying he’d reveal everything about our relationship if I didn’t meet him again.”

Saujong—pathetic man who relies on threats instead of succeeding himself.

“Isn’t that before you became Demon Warrior? It shouldn’t matter.”

But the threats weren’t limited to that.

“He also threatens to expose that I once stole the Master’s fan at his request.”

At that time, Seophon Demon Warrior regularly used the Heart Extraction Technique, which pulled out hearts to absorb vitality.

Saujong was the one who informed me of this—not out of goodwill but to use Seophon Demon Warrior to check on me.

Bodies of victims of Heart Extraction Technique were found, along with the Master’s disciple’s fan. Cheongseon had stolen it at Saujong’s request.

Regardless of intention, Saujong’s interference stopped Seophon Demon Warrior’s evil, and though he was spared because he only dragged Seophon Demon Warrior into the mess, now he had appeared again.

“If that comes out, my reputation will be tarnished.”

If she had fully established herself as Demon Warrior, she wouldn’t worry about this. But as she was still consolidating power, she took this seriously.

“To be honest…”

Her eyes shone with killing intent. She didn’t hide her deadly resolve.

“I even thought about killing him.”

“Why didn’t you?”

Saujong’s swordsmanship wasn’t ordinary, but as Demon Warrior, her Seophon Technique was beyond him. She could have lured him away and killed him quietly.

“There are two reasons. First, I wondered why someone usually so cautious and suspicious would make such a reckless threat to me. I might kill him in rage.”

That was certainly suspicious. The Saujong I saw was always reserved and secretive. If he suddenly acted recklessly, there must be a reason.

“Second, because of something he said carelessly. Everyone has a weakness. Even Sword Master has one, right? When I heard that, I felt he held Sword Master’s weakness. He’s served her for a long time, so it’s plausible. Then I thought this wasn’t my fight. I shouldn’t just kill him. The person who came to mind then was you, Little Pill Master.”

I smiled at her. She passed. I had just been thinking about how Demon Warriors each have their own carefulness and prudence.

She must have instinctively known not to act rashly but to inform me. Both reasons she gave were warnings against impulsiveness.

Her instinct also told her this would deepen her relationship with me. Her instinct was working well.

“You made a wise choice. I’ll handle what comes next.”

Cheongseon’s tense expression softened. Judging by what I’d done so far, she could rest easy from now on. That was the reward for a smart choice.

Before parting, I said one thing.

“You know the righteous and heretical sects fear Seophon Demon Warrior and the Poison King most. I hope that tradition of fear continues.”

Cheongseon bowed silently in respect and left. That pride would be her greatest motivation.

After parting, I moved in the opposite direction.

Was it mere threats? Or did he really know Sword Master’s weakness? If so, what was it?

A chill ran through me. Those who hold someone’s weakness as leverage to threaten are the worst kind of villains.

I headed toward the Bukcheon Sword family.

“Lately, Sword Master hasn’t seen anyone.”

The demon sword guard at the entrance spoke cautiously. According to Hyeolcheon Doma, she was fully focused on martial arts training.

“Tell her I’m here.”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

The guard hurried inside.

While waiting, Saujong walked across the training ground.

Seeing me, he bowed politely.

“Late greetings. Congratulations on becoming Little Pill Master.”

“Long time, Martial Artist Sa.”

He looked the same as always. Visiting Ilhwa Sword Master had been his duty, but now demoted from second-in-command to ordinary demon sword guard.

After bowing again, he walked away. Who could have known he was threatening Seophon Demon Warrior behind the scenes? Last time I let it pass, but this time would be different.

Then the guard who had gone to report returned.

“She will see you now.”

To know how hard someone is working, observe how they spend their spare moments. The truly dedicated never waste time carelessly.

Whenever I had a chance to rest, I trained Cheonma Hoshingong. Ilhwa Sword Master did the same.

She was swinging her sword in the courtyard, training even in the brief time before I arrived.

Her swordsmanship aura was clearly different from before.

“Everyone is really growing stronger.”

But what surprised me most was not her martial achievement.

She wore no makeup at all. I had heard from Hyeolcheon Doma but didn’t expect such a bare face.

She seemed a completely different person—not ugly for lack of makeup, but the vibe was totally different.

Noticing my surprise, she smiled faintly, a bit embarrassed.

“It’s my first time showing my unpainted face to someone else.”

I understood.

She wasn’t just showing her bare face.

She was showing her resolve: I have changed. I’m no longer the Sword Master who obsessed over her beauty. Look, my resolve. Even removing makeup, I’m looking at you with my true will.

“It’s an honor to see your bare face, Senior.”

I feigned an exaggerated tone, and Ilhwa Sword Master gave a faint smile.

“Honor? I’m shabby and old.”

“You are even more beautiful.”

“Don’t say silly things.”

“It’s not flattery, really more beautiful. I wonder why you wore such thick makeup all this time.”

When I said this, she asked quietly,

“Do you mean that sincerely?”

“Has no one ever told you?”

“Because I never showed it to anyone.”

She must have long believed makeup was beauty.

“You look much more attractive now. Clean and elegant.”

“What about these wrinkles?”

“Like the beautiful sword line your sword made moments ago.”

The Sword Master smiled pleasantly.

“Only the Little Pill Master knows how to cheer me up.”

“I was just sincere.”

No matter how much makeup or beauty she had, could she compare to Ian or Jin Ha-ryeong? But at least compared to middle-aged women, the Sword Master was overwhelmingly beautiful even without makeup. In that world, the Sword Master was Ian and Jin Ha-ryeong.

“I’ve always felt you never tire. Even you must get exhausted caring for people. How do you say such pleasant things?”

“I’m a flatterer.”

She shook her head but looked at me intently.

“Only people with high self-esteem can truly praise others. I envy your self-esteem.”

Judging by appearance and aura, she seemed the most self-confident among Demon Warriors. Yet at moments like this, she showed low self-esteem.

“I believe befriending Demon Warriors is my path to strength. Every word I speak is like swinging a sword once or twice. Sometimes I train until my arms fall off, so compared to that, it’s easy.”

“Isn’t dealing with people harder?”

“Aren’t you training too easily?”

“Oh! Maybe my training intensity was too weak.”

We laughed facing each other. Right, dealing with people is ten times harder.

“I have something to say to you.”

“Go ahead.”

“Saujong…”

At his name, a flicker of discomfort passed over her face.

“He’s causing trouble.”

No matter how Saujong was handled, I had to report beforehand. I didn’t reveal her weakness or Seophon Demon Warrior’s involvement.

“Don’t ask for details. Leave it to me.”

Ilhwa Sword Master silently nodded.

I wanted to deal with Saujong immediately without telling her.

But that was impossible. Though vile, Saujong was not a fool.

“Saujong, what do you really believe to risk your life?”

“Third disciple, if you want flowers, wait till spring comes.”

Looking at the flowerpot that was once second disciple and now third, Seodaeryong sighed.

“No, spring will never come for us.”

Since becoming Hwangcheon Gakju, he had been busy every day.

His desk was piled with paperwork. As branch leader, he had many tasks and meetings. He thought he could change the world himself once he became Hwangcheon Gakju. Surprisingly, the world flowed unchanged.

“Ah! I hate working.”

You know those days? Days when you just don’t want to work. You keep staring out the window for no reason.

He thumped his head on the desk.

Geom Mugeuk, as Hwangcheon Gakju, had a similar workload. He had handled almost everything himself back then.

But when the job became truly his, the feeling and pressure were different. The same work felt harder.

“I liked it better when we left the sect with the Little Pill Master.”

Especially when we won at Soryongjeon—such an unforgettable moment. The cheers on the dueling platform! I bragged so much about it to Ian and Jang Ho that I can’t mention it anymore!

“Ah! I want to go back! To that time!”

At that moment, the door slammed open.

Seodaeryong, who had been lying on the desk, jumped up like lightning, straightened up, and asked in a low voice,

“What’s the urgent matter for such a hurried entrance?”

Then came a familiar voice.

“If we went back, who would change the sect, Branch Leader?”

Seodaeryong jumped up excitedly.

“Little Pill Master!”

Geom Mugeuk was standing smiling at the door.

“Tired?”

Seodaeryong made a mock upset face.

“Tired.”

It was the first time Seodaeryong had said he was tired so freely since becoming Hwangcheon Gakju. Who would have guessed the hardest person besides Cheonma would be Geom Mugeuk?

“I trusted you because you were tired. Otherwise, I would have kept going.”

“That’s harsh!”

Shouting after /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ a long time, Seodaeryong felt joy. He realized how much he really wanted to see Geom Mugeuk. Being Hwangcheon Gakju was good, being Hyeolcheon Doma’s disciple was good, but Geom Mugeuk was what he wanted most.

“If you’re so tired, let’s switch.”

“With the Little Pill Master?”

“Here, I’ll tell you what to do. Go meet the Drunkard and listen to his worries, check if my brother and the Demon Buddha are doing well, meet the Poison King and gather poison herbs, and play Go with Father. Then train martial arts all night.”

No matter his status, Geom Mugeuk joked the same.

“My work suddenly feels so easy. I’ll get paid until I die and endure. I’m rooted here now.”

Geom Mugeuk didn’t end with a joke but stared at Seodaeryong and said,

“You’ve worked hard, my right arm.”

Hearing “right arm” after a long time moved Seodaeryong. He was so busy he’d forgotten he was Geom Mugeuk’s right arm. That one phrase was enough. Someone recognized his hard work. Could he work harder?

Yes, recognition is important. Without it, even picking up trash on the street becomes hard. Seodaeryong was learning how to treat his subordinates through experience.

“Hardship? My life must be someone’s dream. I’ll work hard. I’ll die trying! With the Little Pill Master, spring has come. I’ll make flowers bloom in my heart!”

After shouting happily, Seodaeryong asked,

“By the way, why are you at Hwangcheon Gak?”

If it had been before, Geom Mugeuk would have said, “Why not work with me?” but today he respected Seodaeryong’s authority.

Geom Mugeuk said seriously,

“Branch Leader, I have a favor. Let’s catch a bad villain.”