To conclude, Hanseol could not refuse.

Just persuading her alone was overwhelming for Geom Mugeuk, but today he had an ally: Ian.

“Looking at that person’s corpse earlier, I wondered—if we hadn’t come to find him, would he still be alive?”

Hanseol sensed Ian’s anger over his death.

To be honest, until hearing that from Ian, Hanseol hadn’t thought about that person even once. She had completely forgotten.

He was someone she’d just met here. Did he really matter that much?

If it was all pretense, then this would be part of it—the story of coming all the way to Bukhae to save the husband of a woman who gave him a drink.

“Do you think he died because of us?”

“No, he died because of the one who killed him.”

Ian didn’t blame herself. Having learned much from Geom Mugeuk, she knew to apply such wisdom.

“But I don’t want his death to be meaningless.”

At times like this, Ian’s belief that kind people live long wavered. That dead person had also shown kindness to warn them.

Ian looked at Geom Mugeuk and offered more wisdom.

“Please take revenge.”

She felt she was no match for this, so she would just follow Geom Mugeuk’s orders.

“Very well.”

After readily agreeing, Geom Mugeuk took note of Ian’s feelings.

“Such events leave wounds on the heart. Though it may seem like a shallow wound over someone you barely know, it’s a scar that lasts forever. You’ll keep thinking about it, even when passing by a brewery.”

Geom Mugeuk knew well—sometimes such wounds linger longer and torment people more than physical injuries.

“Don’t try to force yourself to forget. That only deepens the scar.”

“Then what should I do?”

“Let it scar, and scar again. One scar on top of another. Then accept it as the mark your heart carries. Congratulations on the new mark on your heart.”

A bright smile spread on Ian’s lips. The only person in the world to celebrate pain—what more need be said?

“My heart’s only like this; I can’t imagine how Lord’s heart looks.”

Ian thought of Geom Mugeuk’s heart—was it covered with dozens or hundreds of scars, making it strong enough to overcome anything? Or was it originally made of eternal steel, pure with no marks at all?

“You know how my heart is, don’t you?”

“Excuse me? How would I? Ah!”

Ian bowed her head deeply, suddenly remembering that Geom Mugeuk called her “heart.”

Watching that, Hanseol felt strange.

A leader who feels guilt over a stranger’s death and consoles her.

Before, it seemed fake and deceptive, but now her attitude toward that relationship was changing. To her surprise, she even began to feel a little envy.

This time her gaze turned to Chimma. After all, Chimma had said he covered himself in blood to save them.

‘Am I being too inhuman?’

Because of these three from the Demon Sect, she kept having thoughts she never had her whole life. Feeling this because of demonic martial artists—of all people.

Geom Mugeuk said to {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Hanseol,

“Help us.”

“I already said I refuse.”

“There’s a reason you can’t refuse.”

“What reason?”

After a pause, Geom Mugeuk said,

“I believe their ultimate target is you or the Palace Lord.”

Hanseol was not surprised. If Elder Seo was involved in the plot, the direction of the blade was obvious. But she still couldn’t believe it. He had been like family since childhood. To aim at her mother and herself?

“Is there really solid evidence?”

Hanseol asked again, and Geom Mugeuk answered firmly.

“It became clear when they framed Lord Chimma. Seonak is on their side.”

Hanseol was silent for a moment. Chimma and Ian’s expressions showed they fully believed Geom Mugeuk.

“People’s hearts can become like diamond, but just as easily melt like wax. He probably didn’t have such a heart at first.”

Whether the Blood King influenced him to change or he changed first and was then influenced, he had ultimately changed.

Though she shouted she would refuse, Hanseol knew she had to take charge. Someone from Binggung was dead, and the enemy was targeting her and her mother.

But could she truly trust these demonic martial artists?

The more this distrust faded, the more anxious Hanseol became. She couldn’t let her guard down.

“There’s something I want you to do outside.”

“What is it?”

“Meet the eldest son of Bukhyeolmun. I think they’re involved in this.”

If Elder Seo, whom she considered like an uncle, was collaborating with some hidden faction, then Bukhyeolmun was also part of the same side?

Hanseol’s chest tightened. If all this was true, Binggung was in serious danger.

“Neither Bukhyeolmunju nor Elder Seo is yet someone the Little Palace Lord can handle. So target the eldest son of Bukhyeolmun. He must know something. Whatever it is, find out.”

Hanseol no longer hesitated. She would decide as she moved.

“Alright, let’s meet that person.”

“Show them a coldness that freezes blood.”

“Very well.”

As she was about to leave the room, Geom Mugeuk said,

“Before you go, be sure to meet your mother first.”

Hanseol paused for a moment, then silently left.

After she left, Ian asked worriedly,

“Is it okay to let the Little Palace Lord go alone?”

“Worried?”

“The enemies aren’t easy.”

“Don’t worry. Why would we in Bukhae worry about the Little Palace Lord? I’m more worried about Lord Chimma here who’s just drinking tea!”

Then Chimma suddenly said,

“You’re planning to leave too, aren’t you?”

His gaze was on Geom Mugeuk.

“You plan to draw their attention to her and take care of things from behind?”

Geom Mugeuk laughed.

“Quitting drinking makes me a genius! Let’s quit drinking from now on. Such a good brain shouldn’t be wasted.”

“My brain’s already soaked with alcohol.”

Ian inwardly blamed herself.

‘I’m a worse brain than that soaked one.’

She had no idea Geom Mugeuk planned to sneak out secretly.

Ian asked Geom Mugeuk,

“What will you do once you’re out?”

“As you saw earlier, the mastermind behind this is a crude and ruthless bastard.”

They tried to frame Chimma and killed those who didn’t know martial arts.

“When they come out like this, you have to deal with them appropriately. I’ll use the method you wrote.”

“My method? What method?”

“We’re going to kidnap Elder Seo and Bukhyeolmunju. If we cut off both arms, the trunk will reveal itself.”

“Really?”

“Of course I’m joking.”

He really wanted to do that—to not kidnap but just get rid of both.

But he couldn’t. If he did, the Blood King would never appear. And the bastard would kill countless people in revenge. Killing both would cost two hundred lives.

“I’m dying to drink. Bring the bastard here now!”

At Chimma’s words, Geom Mugeuk replied,

“Yeah, once we wipe them all out, we’ll really party hard. That day we become dogs.”

Ian raised her hand high.

“One more dog here!”

Geom Mugeuk placed pillows and clothes on the bed to make it look like he was sleeping. No one would dare enter the room without permission, but it was just in case.

“Act like I’m here. Now I’m off.”

“How do you plan to get past those people?”

“You ask early.”

There were too many guards outside for a secret exit. Each one was a master, different from ordinary martial artists who just watch people.

Geom Mugeuk said to Chimma before leaving.

“By the way, brother, I couldn’t say this earlier.”

Two friendly and curious gazes met in the air.

“Covering yourself in blood to save those people was cool.”

Leaving those words, Geom Mugeuk stepped outside.

A smile naturally appeared on Chimma’s lips.

Probably no one knew better than Geom Mugeuk how hard he was trying now.

Someone who recognizes my effort.

And someone who says it.

That was Geom Mugeuk. Thinking this, he felt,

“I really want a drink.”

Ian and Chimma watched Geom Mugeuk slip away through the window. The Amyeongbo technique was active.

Amyeongbo is a footwork used for sneaking in somewhere; at first it dodges one person’s gaze, but as mastery increases, it can avoid more. A perfected Amyeongbo slipped past masters staring straight at him and escaped.

“What did we just see?”

Ian marveled, and Chimma drank tea.

“Binggung masters who get stabbed with their eyes wide open.”

Hanseol entered the Palace Lord’s quarters.

“Palace Lord.”

Upon Hanseol’s visit, Binggungju recalled Geom Mugeuk’s words.

―You should look after your daughter. Luckily, she still seems to be behind you.

This was their first moment alone since hearing that.

“What’s the matter?”

“I came to tell you something.”

“Speak.”

Hanseol realized anew that when visiting her mother, she never offered even a light greeting. She always went straight to the point.

Naturally, Hanseol recalled Geom Mugeuk’s words.

―Their relationship isn’t about closeness or distance, cold or warm. The problem is that it’s frozen.

Now that she was here, she thought maybe that wasn’t the real problem.

‘Do I want to thaw that frozen relationship?’

She realized it was a matter of will. Her mother might not want such a relationship with her.

Seeing her daughter’s gaze filled with many thoughts, Binggungju noticed Hanseol seemed different.

Amid those thoughts, the conversation continued.

“I plan to meet the eldest son of Bukhyeolmun.”

“Why him?”

“The Little Pill Master believes Bukhyeolmun is involved in this. I want to verify if that’s true.”

It was unfamiliar yet encouraging. It was the first time her daughter took the initiative to investigate something.

“Are you doing this because you want to?”

After speaking, Binggungju realized her choice of words was poor. What she said sounded like, ‘Are you doing this because the Little Pill Master told you to?’

“I want to.”

A moment of silence passed.

―Don’t misunderstand, I’m just asking because you’re doing something you don’t usually do.

―It’s okay. You can’t help but be influenced by the Little Pill Master.

Such candid conversation might have happened.

―If it were you, you’d do well.

―Thank you for believing in me.

How nice that would be, but the reality was this.

“If you mess with Bukhyeolmun, there could be problems.”

“Yes, probably.”

Silence again.

Normally, Binggungju would say, ‘It’s too soon.’

But her daughter was here, directly saying she wanted to do something, so refusal was difficult.

“Still going to try?”

“Yes.”

Neither of them knew until now. They had spoken like this without thinking it strange.

But now, opening their hearts and talking made it truly awkward.

“I will take my leave.”

Hanseol bowed and turned.

She walked slowly to the stairs, and Binggungju said behind her,

“Have some tea before you go.”

The first to make the move was Binggungju. Yes, even when turning away, the mother should be the first to turn.

Hanseol was inwardly surprised. When had she ever sat with her mother drinking tea? She couldn’t even remember.

“I’ll drink it when I get back.”

Flustered, she declined, and Binggungju didn’t insist further. No need to feel hurt. Geom Mugeuk said, no matter how many times she looked back, seven or eight times out of ten she didn’t even realize she had.

And this attempt surely had effect. Coming down the stairs of the Palace Lord’s quarters, Hanseol regretted it.

Should have drunk the tea.

Smack!

Yang Seok, eldest son of Bukhyeolmun, mercilessly slapped Sibi’s cheek.

“Sorry, Young Master!”

Yang Seok, rushing hurriedly, nearly bumped into Sibi. Water she carried spilled and splashed on her clothes.

“Did you keep the Little Palace Lord waiting because of you? Or do you plan to meet her in wet clothes?”

It wasn’t enough to be noticeable. He was just in a bad mood that someone blocked his way on the way to meet the Little Palace Lord.

“Sorry, I’m sorry.”

Smack! Snap!

Despite her apology, Yang Seok hit her mercilessly again. Sibi’s lips split, and a red handprint remained on her cheek.

“There’s no time for this.”

At his subordinate’s words, Yang Seok hurried away.

Luckily, he didn’t use internal power. The Little Palace Lord had come to meet him, so he couldn’t afford to kill someone by accident and just left.

Shortly after Yang Seok left,

someone returned. It was Ha-gyeol (夏結), Yang Seok’s bodyguard martial artist. The same one who said earlier there was no time.

“Let me see.”

Ha-gyeol helped the fallen woman up and checked her wounds. Blood dripped from the cuts on her lips and cheek.

Ha-gyeol wiped the blood away with his hand.

“I’m fine.”

Though the touch was uncomfortable, she dared not reject Ha-gyeol’s gesture. Moreover, if he hadn’t stopped Yang Seok earlier, she might have been beaten more.

“Fortunately, your teeth seem unharmed.”

Sibi felt Ha-gyeol’s touch was truly warm. She didn’t realize the changes happening to her face and eyes.

“Don’t cause trouble by catching the Young Master’s attention; stay in your room today.”

“Thank you.”

Returning to her room, Sibi looked into a mirror.

She had thought she bled a lot when hit, but no blood remained on her face.

No trace of blood was left.

‘He just wiped it roughly with his hand—how can this be?’

She hadn’t noticed her neck where a red circle had appeared then vanished.

She would never know that her life no longer belonged to her, and that she had paid too great a price for a small kindness.