I didn’t just leave the Wind Valley behind.

How could I just leave after struggling so hard to get here?

First, I thoroughly examined the inside of the valley. It was the first time I had seen a place so completely cut off from the outside world.

If someone took this place as their stronghold, they would be unbeatable. Secret matters aside, even if enemies knew it was here, they would never be able to enter.

Of course, to bring someone to guard this place, one would need far more inner strength than I have now.

Someday, when I reach a level to enter here with ease, I vowed to build a villa in this place.

Before leaving, there was something I absolutely had to do.

I immediately unfolded the Space-Time Transformation Technique.

I planned to activate Guwhamagog (Nine Flames Martial Arts) once more before leaving. I had used all my potential to break through here. I had a revelation during that process and wanted to confirm that achievement.

Though no one else was here, I performed the Space-Time Transformation Technique both to protect the place and to activate the Shicheon Technique. For me, inner strength was time, and time was the lives of myself and those around me.

Within the Space-Time Transformation, I unfolded Guwhamagog. From the beginning to where I had learned, I carefully performed the forms once.

First Form: Annihilation.

Sshhhhhhhh!

Though terrifying and dreadful to an enemy, to me the four spectral demons from the Four Directions—East, West, South, and North—appeared simultaneously and swung their swords.

Shrek! Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!

Today’s Annihilation was different from before.

Previously, the four demons from the four directions had grown faster and stronger, but today there was a change in another aspect.

They didn’t vanish immediately but looked at each other. The scary one stared at the handsome one, and the mysterious one exchanged glances with the clever one.

Until now it had felt like mere instinct; today, for the first time, I sensed reason and emotion.

A truly fleeting moment—but I felt like the four were whispering among themselves!

That feeling was certain.

Before the clever one vanished, it looked at me. I could feel regret at our parting in its gaze.

Just before the four demons vanished completely, I spoke to them.

“Good to see you.”

The four demons disappeared quietly, leaving me talking to myself—but it was my first greeting to them. I felt a step closer to the Cheonma Soul.

Next, I performed the Second Form: Great Annihilation. Just by this form, I could tell my mastery of Guwhamagog had risen.

Sssssssssss.

Originally, the scary demon from the four directions split into eight, but now two more joined, making ten.

Kwak! Kwak! Kwak! Kwak! Kwak! Kwak! Kwak! Kwak! Kwak!

The ten demons swept away everything ahead in a blazing attack. The Great Annihilation was always spectacular.

Third Form: Great Demonic Wall.

Isn’t a wall of energy just a wall? The Great Demonic Wall shrank in size this time. It shrank to congratulate me on my achievement.

Then, the Fourth Form: Dark Flash.

Whoosh!

Darkness fell, deeper and heavier than before.

Shiiiiing.

A streak of light cut through the darkness.

Faster and stronger than the previous flash. The darkness grew deeper and the light shone brighter.

I haven’t tried the Fifth Form yet. Instinctively, I knew it was time not to advance but to refine the achievement.

I considered this accomplishment a gift from the old man. A present telling me I’m still doing well after regression. That I reached here by breaking through the wind was thanks to his guidance.

“I will keep striving from now on.”

To strive and strive, so that even if the outcome is wrong, I can still say this.

This was my best, and there was no regret.

Only then can one dream of revenge—and such an attitude will prevent revenge from consuming me, allowing me to live my life fully.

Finally, when I left this place, I didn’t train hard.

Enduring with extreme inner strength at the wind’s source.

“Now I’m goingoooooo!”

I released my tension, letting the wild wind carry me as I flew toward the exit. I flew joyfully.

If I miss the wind, I’ll come back again.

Hanseol fell into deep thought.

The moment the name Elder Seo came up, her expression grew serious.

He was the person her mother trusted most and the most respected figure in Binggung.

Sharp-witted Ian guessed where Hanseol’s concerns ultimately lay.

‘She’s afraid Mother is involved.’

In other words, she didn’t trust her mother.

Thinking this, Ian recalled a presence she had long neglected. That name that was difficult to bear either way.

Ian controlled her emotions and calmly said,

“If he is an important figure in Binggung, we need to approach carefully.”

“I’ll visit Elder Seo first. I’ll go alone.”

“Did you often visit him before?”

Hanseol shook her head.

“Then he will surely be suspicious.”

“What if we tell him we came to investigate for these reasons?”

Ian hoped they would find something. That was what worried her.

“If the other party lies, can you tell? I’m not confident. Especially if the other party is an elder.”

Could Hanseol really notice better than others?

“If Elder Seo is involved, he will definitely lie, and if we fail to see through it, he’ll know we’re suspicious. Before the real fight even begins, our defeat would be certain.”

A valid point.

“So what do we do?”

Ian cautiously suggested one thing.

“Tell the Little Pill Master.”

Hanseol’s expression stiffened slightly. After uncovering Elder Seo on their own, was she going to give up already? She wanted to reveal the whole truth by herself.

Knowing her feelings, Ian was even more ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ cautious.

“Just finding evidence of Elder Seo’s involvement is already a huge role for the Little Pill Master.”

This was a suggestion Hanseol would never have accepted before.

“Do you believe, as the Little Pill Master, that you have a clever plan?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I’m curious why you’re so sure.”

“You’ve already shown me a lot.”

Hanseol thought for a moment.

“All right, let’s return for now.”

Since it concerned Elder Seo, it needed to be handled carefully. She also wanted to see firsthand what kind of power the Demon Sect Little Pill Master had.

Returning with confidence, she asked Chwima where Geom Mugeuk was.

“The Little Pill Master is out.”

It would be nice if he was here now. I came back trusting only our Little Pill Master, but of course he wasn’t here.

Ian smiled, hiding her thoughts.

“He must be handling something important.”

Chwima teased and said something unnecessary.

“Maybe he went to prepare for the cold?”

“Huh?”

“That’s all he said before leaving.”

“Did he go buy clothes or something?”

Even as she said it, Ian knew it was a weak answer.

She sighed and looked at Hanseol.

“Shall we go see Elder Seo now?”

Ian’s joke made Hanseol laugh.

“Oh? You just smiled.”

Hanseol straightened her face.

“Does a sneer count as a smile?”

Then someone spoke behind them.

“A sneer is still a smile. And I know the coolest sneer in the world.”

Turning, they saw Geom Mugeuk entering.

Ian called out happily.

“Little Pill Master! Where have you been?”

“I went out for some fresh air.”

He had really gotten all the fresh air he’d ever need in his life.

After a short rest, visitors arrived at Elder Seo’s residence.

“The Little Pill Master and the Demon Sect Little Pill Master have come.”

Though unannounced, Seo Nak (徐洛) was not surprised.

“Bring them in.”

Shortly after, Geom Mugeuk and Hanseol entered the main hall.

“Nice to meet you. I am Geom Mugeuk.”

“Finally, I meet the one who caused a stir in the Central Plains.”

The two exchanged courteous greetings.

Seo Nak carried an aura of kindness, words, and manners, with grace in every action. He seemed like the kind of man who would forgive any wrongdoing with gentle prayers.

Indeed, he was greatly respected by martial artists of both Binggung and the North Sea.

“You’re here to investigate the death of Baekjuseolwon’s Wonju?”

“Yes, with permission from the Palace Master. Treat us kindly, as I am your junior in martial arts before being the Little Pill Master.”

Geom Mugeuk also smiled warmly like Seo Nak. The meeting started well.

“A regrettable person.”

“Have you ever drank with Wonju?”

Geom Mugeuk’s sudden question made Hanseol nervous. Jo Myung said the two had drunk together several times. Would he tell the truth?

“A few times. But mostly just talked about alcohol, so I don’t know much about Wonju.”

Seo Nak didn’t hide the truth.

“What do you think about Wonju’s death?”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Do you think there’s someone who bore a grudge against him?”

Seo Nak hesitated before answering.

“Are you investigating me?”

“Would that be a problem?”

The provocative reply created tension. Then Geom Mugeuk smiled and eased it.

“Just joking. The Little Pill Master said we should start by investigating those around Wonju. The person you trust most among them is the Palace Master, next is Elder Seo. So we came first to visit you and exclude you from suspicion.”

Seo Nak smiled kindly at Hanseol.

“Thank you for thinking so.”

“No problem.”

Hanseol bowed slightly.

“By the way, you have a well-decorated hall here.”

Geom Mugeuk walked toward a wall and looked at a display cabinet filled with various ornaments.

Meanwhile, Seo Nak smiled gently at Hanseol, a smile she had known since childhood, as if he were her uncle. She had heard her mother had often relied on Elder Seo’s help when she became the Palace Master. Seeing his face in person, she thought,

‘This is no place to be suspicious.’

Though there was testimony that Wonju had several drinking sessions with Elder Seo, there was no proof he had received any alcohol.

Normally, she would have stood beside Seo Nak, watching Geom Mugeuk.

Why are demonic martial artists here? But now, she suspected him with them. How did it come to this?

When she vaguely suspected Elder Seo, seeing his smiling face made her feel sorry. People’s hearts change so much between when you see them and when you don’t.

“Have you heard news about Bukhyeolmun?”

Geom Mugeuk continued examining the ornaments, not losing composure. When Hanseol tried to speak, Seo Nak raised a hand to stop her.

“What news?”

“The second son of Bukhyeolmun lured people and conducted dangerous experiments.”

“I haven’t heard.”

“Is that so?”

After a pause, Geom Mugeuk glanced back.

“Aren’t you going to ask what kind of experiments?”

“Obvious. That second son has always been eccentric.”

“So I heard.”

Geom Mugeuk didn’t continue the conversation and touched the ornaments. Hanseol felt none of the specialness Ian had mentioned. Transcendence? Only rudeness was transcendent here.

“Anything else to say?”

“No. We just came to greet.”

“So the Demon Sect is really the Demon Sect. Even greetings make one nervous.”

“If innocent, why would you be nervous?”

Hanseol hurriedly said goodbye.

“We’ll be going now.”

“If you have questions, come again. I will cooperate anytime.”

“Thank you.”

They greeted and turned to leave. Walking toward the door with Hanseol, Geom Mugeuk suddenly remembered something and asked,

“By the way, where did you use Hyangseol Bingju? Did you go somewhere cold?”

Hanseol was surprised. She hadn’t expected such a question.

Seo Nak didn’t seem startled by the sudden question.

He tilted his head.

“Hyangseol Bingju? Why do you ask me that?”

“Didn’t you receive it from Wonju?”

“I never received it.”

His reaction was so natural it didn’t seem like a lie.

“I see.”

Geom Mugeuk politely greeted and was about to leave but turned back once more.

“You didn’t ask again? How did you know Hyangseol Bingju was given? Don’t people usually get curious if someone says something untrue about them?”

“What does that matter? The important thing is that I never received it.”

Though Seo Nak didn’t ask, Geom Mugeuk told him.

“In a letter Wonju sent to Chwima, it said Hyangseol Bingju was given to Elder Seo.”

“I don’t know why Wonju wrote that, but I never received Hyangseol Bingju.”

“Maybe there was some misunderstanding.”

After greeting, they stepped outside.

Once fully outside, Hanseol asked,

“Why was that?”

“To probe if he was lying.”

“You’re the one who lied.”

Wonju never mentioned Elder Seo to Chwima.

“Did you find out Elder Seo was lying through your own lies?”

Geom Mugeuk shook his head.

“I couldn’t tell.”

“Because Elder Seo didn’t lie.”

“Maybe so.”

Geom Mugeuk admitted simply to prepare for the next point.

“But one thing was strange.”

“What was it?”

“After we met today, Elder Seo got angry once. Do you know when?”

“I don’t know. You were rude too many times. So when?”

Then came an unexpected answer from Geom Mugeuk.

“When I disturbed the ornaments on the display cabinet.”

Hanseol hadn’t noticed if that happened or if Elder Seo got angry. Only Geom Mugeuk, who carefully sensed Seo Nak’s emotions by subtly radiating his aura, knew.

“Did you see that display cabinet?”

“No.”

“No dust, and all the ornaments were perfectly aligned, with no deviation—almost obsessive.”

“The servants must keep it very clean.”

“That’s the problem.”

“What do you mean?”

“If Elder Seo didn’t care about the cabinet, he wouldn’t have reacted when I disturbed the ornaments.”

Geom Mugeuk discovered something important from that.

“He has two contrasting sides: a kind smile for people, and a nervous side that tolerates no disorder.”

Hanseol was secretly impressed. Geom Mugeuk grasped in a short time what she hadn’t known for years.

She began to understand why Ian urged informing the Little Pill Master. Even the rudeness was calculated.

“But in the end, it’s just a personality trait, right?”

“That’s right. Though contrasting, it’s not proof of involvement in this case.”

“Then let’s find out more.”

“How?”

Even this surprised Hanseol.

“This time, instead of objects, shake the people around him.”

A strange tension enveloped Hanseol. Among those around Seo Nak was the closest person—someone who had never shown any sign of wavering.

‘Can you really shake my mother?’