The Palace Lord Binggung silently stared out the window.

Seeing her troubled mind, it was clear that Seonak’s final deceit had succeeded.

At that moment, Hanseol entered.

“Your Highness.”

“Have you come?”

Binggung turned toward her.

“I plan to visit Bukhyeolmun with the Little Pill Master.”

At her words, Binggung nodded.

Though aware of the danger, she had already resolved to trust Geom Mugeuk and send her daughter. Such experiences would help Hanseol grow into a true martial artist.

In fact, Hanseol’s visit was not only to report about going to Bukhyeolmun. She was worried about her mother—whether Elder Seo might have hurt her.

—“Be sure to express it in words.”

This was what Geom Mugeuk had said when she declared she would report to her mother. He was perceptive enough to know why she was going.

Expressing it in words.

To Hanseol, it felt like a gateway between life and death.

In the past, her mother’s reply would have been simply, “Go and come back well,” ending the conversation without even making eye contact.

But this time was different.

Hanseol looked her mother squarely in the eyes.

“Why do you look at me like that?”

After a moment, Hanseol said,

“I was just worried if you are alright.”

Binggung felt how much courage her daughter had mustered to say those words. Despite the awkward atmosphere, emotions were clearly conveyed.

“Let’s have some tea.”

“I’ll make it today.”

Hanseol brewed the tea herself. Binggung sat silently at the tea table, watching her back. It was the first time her daughter had made tea for her. Because of that, her gloomy mood lifted considerably.

“You’ve grown up.”

At those words, Hanseol’s hand paused briefly as she remembered Geom Mugeuk’s earlier saying.

—“When you raise someone to our age, isn’t it a child’s duty to say something like, ‘You’ve really grown up’ at least once?”

After a moment, Hanseol brought the tea and set it down.

They drank quietly, the awkwardness less than before.

“I’m alright.”

She truly was. Elder Seo’s betrayal didn’t strike her deeply; she had already suspected him, which was why she had accepted the demonic martial artists into the palace.

Because she wasn’t deliberately hiding her wounds, Hanseol felt relieved.

“That’s a relief. Then I will go now.”

Trying to leave before things got awkward.

“Wait a moment.”

Binggung stood and brought something she had prepared—a set of protective armor.

“This is the Cheongung Hogap (Heavenly Palace Protective Armor). Wear it on your journey.”

The Cheongung Hogap was a treasured protective armor passed down in Northern Sea Binggung.

Surprised by the unexpected armor, Hanseol felt deeply moved.

“If you get caught off guard by a self-destruct technique, trust the Cheongung Hogap and use the Sakpung Bingmak (North Wind Ice Membrane) technique to protect your face. You should be able to avoid serious injury.”

The concern for her daughter was clear, which made Hanseol’s voice tremble slightly as she said,

“I will respond as you instructed. I will go now.”

Hanseol carried the armor down from the palace lord’s quarters. She hadn’t properly expressed her gratitude—too flustered, surprised, and moved to offer thanks well.

Though happy for the change in their relationship, she also felt worry.

Even Elder Seo, who had been around so long, had betrayed her mother. Human hearts change from sitting to standing.

She feared her mother would be hurt. Feared she might be wounded. She had lived too long without considering others’ feelings.

Ha Gyeol entered the secret room with the blood tank.

The calculated chill that could only be felt in this space was present again today.

The Blood King was still submerged in the pool of blood. When the one with the Extreme Limit Technique arrived, the final ritual would end, and he would come out. Only two days left, yet such news had to be delivered.

“Elder Seo is dead.”

The Blood King’s eyes snapped open at Ha Gyeol’s report.

“He was defeated by Chimma.”

A low, deep resonance came from within the blood.

“And Chimma?”

Though blood technique users guarded the Blood King, they must have assumed Chimma was not unharmed.

“Chimma is safe. The Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master and Palace Lord were both there. I suspect the three combined forces to block the self-destruct techniques.”

The Blood King’s expression hardened fiercely in the blood pool.

Raising even one blood technique user who can perform self-destruct requires enormous money and time.

Moreover, Seonak was a figure who had invested long effort to take full control of Binggung. Naturally, the Blood King’s rage was justified.

The blood in the pool grew colder.

The submerged Blood King slowly began to surface.

Splash.

He emerged from the blood.

Blood flowed down his long arms and body. The blood energy radiating from his eyes was so intense it was terrifying to meet his gaze.

“I will not let Chimma live.”

Just as he prepared to come out—

Ha Gyeol bowed deeply before the tank.

“Please endure, Master!”

The Blood King halted. His cold gaze turned to Ha Gyeol.

“You are on the verge of a great achievement. Endure just two more days.”

Blood dripped down from his body.

Ha Gyeol knew. Even if only one shijin remained, he wouldn’t endure. His master was a man of blood—a blood that boiled like lava and froze like glaciers.

“Please wait just two days. They haven’t noticed us yet. Seonak’s death was discovered during the search for the Original Lord’s killer. Please postpone vengeance for two days.”

Ha Gyeol pleaded earnestly.

The Blood King silently gazed down at Ha Gyeol.

Splash.

He submerged again.

Closing his eyes, he said nothing. In two days, all the anger he had held back would erupt, and Chimma would surely die.

Ha Gyeol steeled himself with determination.

“Even if it means sacrificing all of Bukhyeolmun, I will endure two days.”

Exiting the secret room, Ha Gyeol headed directly to Yang Seok’s residence.

At the entrance, Yang Seok awaited.

“Where have you been this time?”

“Apologies. I went to see the sect leader.”

He always used the sect leader as an excuse whenever he left.

Yang Seok was displeased. Not only because Ha Gyeol often left to see his father.

There was something cautious about how Ha Gyeol’s father treated him, and the two were secretly close. Seeing them together put Yang Seok in a bad mood.

“Fine. I understand.”

Now Yang Seok decided to change tactics.

“Here. This is for your hard work, so take it.”

Yang Seok handed over an envelope. Ha Gyeol opened it and found three vouchers worth one hundred nyang each—a large sum for a reward.

“I cannot accept this.”

“It’s my sincerity; take it.”

Yang Seok insisted forcibly, and Ha Gyeol reluctantly accepted.

Yang Seok intended to make Ha Gyeol his man and use him to learn about his father’s mind.

‘I should have done this sooner.’

Who dislikes money? Yang Seok regretted his earlier irrational anger at his father. If his father gave a thousand nyang, he would give two thousand.

“Take good care of yourself.”

“I will serve with loyalty.”

At that moment, a subordinate came to report a visitor.

“The Little Pill Master of Binggung has arrived.”

“Already here?”

He didn’t expect her to come so soon despite her promise to return.

“Is she accompanied?”

“Yes, with a young man.”

Yang Seok immediately guessed the young man was the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master. He had promised to bring the Little Pill Master next time. The Little ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Pill Master was said to be arrogant, and he seemed eager to resolve their conflict quickly.

“Let’s go.”

Yang Seok led the way. He wanted to see the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master for himself.

Ha Gyeol’s expression hardened as he followed.

“The Demon Sect already came?”

The Demon Sect’s movements were faster than expected. It had barely been long since Elder Seo’s death.

“And they plan to target Young Master Yang?”

They had grasped the situation well. Ha Gyeol would have done the same.

Ha Gyeol was also curious about the Demon Sect’s swift Little Pill Master and quickened his pace behind Yang Seok.

Hanseol waited with Geom Mugeuk at the Guest Hall.

Unlike before, today a definite plan and strategy were set.

Hanseol, who rarely got nervous even in ordinary matters, was trembling now.

She looked at Geom Mugeuk, who showed no sign of nervousness.

“Aren’t you nervous?”

Geom Mugeuk nodded and asked,

“Do you know why you’re so nervous?”

“Why?”

“Because you want to do too well.”

That was true. She clearly wanted the plan to succeed through perfect acting.

“What if you mess up? Even if I make a mistake, the Little Pill Master will handle it. Think like that. Then you won’t be nervous at all.”

Even without adopting that mindset, Geom Mugeuk’s words alone eased Hanseol’s heart.

“This martial artist said, ‘He will never order me to die. If he does, he’ll die. Even if the Demon Sect falls, he won’t give such an order.’”

Geom Mugeuk smiled and looked at her.

“That’s right. Still, he won’t give such an order. If he has to kill a subordinate he loves so much to survive, what’s the point of living? It’s the same for the main sect. If the life or death of one woman decides its fate, it might as well fall.”

Hanseol looked away, gazing out the window.

“Not a bluff!”

I know. That’s why it’s even more upsetting.

At that moment, the door opened, and two people entered.

Ha Gyeol stood guarding the entrance, and Yang Seok greeted them brightly.

“Little Pill Master, welcome.”

“I came again because I have someone important to introduce.”

She introduced Geom Mugeuk.

“He is the Little Pill Master of the Demon Sect.”

Yang Seok greeted politely.

“I am Yang Seok of Bukhyeolmun. It is an honor to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Geom Mugeuk.”

Yang Seok carefully observed Geom Mugeuk.

Though he was the type to beat up anyone who caused trouble on the street, he showed respect and caution toward someone stronger than himself.

“What is this guy?”

Geom Mugeuk was younger and more handsome than he expected. He thought he’d be rough and fierce-looking.

“I heard the Little Pill Master is investigating the death of the Original Lord of Baekjuseolwon.”

“That investigation is complete.”

“Complete?”

Yang Seok had not yet heard any news about it.

“The culprit was Elder Seo.”

“You don’t mean Elder Seonak?”

“Why not?”

Yang Seok was shocked, but Geom Mugeuk understood from his reaction that he didn’t know this fact. It showed the Bukhyeolmun Lord did not share all information with his son.

“What happened to Elder Seo?”

“He’s dead.”

Yang Seok couldn’t believe it.

“If that’s true, Northern Sea must be in upheaval.”

Then why is it so quiet?

“We don’t spread rumors while working.”

Yang Seok looked at Hanseol, doubting Geom Mugeuk’s words. She nodded once, confirming the truth.

Starting with news of Seonak’s death, Geom Mugeuk began to steer the mood.

“I heard your younger brother found the Extreme Limit Technique. Do you know why?”

Yang Seok was flustered by the blunt question.

“I don’t know anything about that.”

“You’re quite lucky. You became successor without even knowing what your younger brother was doing.”

Knowing it was sarcasm, Yang Seok’s expression stiffened, but Geom Mugeuk continued to needle him.

“True. You became successor thanks to us.”

Yang Seok lowered his voice, suppressing anger.

“Whatever the reason, my brother died because of your sect’s demonic martial artists. How can you do this to me?”

His words were polite but laced with venom. Is it acceptable to kill someone and act like this?

“You admit he died because of us?”

Geom Mugeuk’s eyes grew cold.

“When we released him, he didn’t look like someone who would die. His will to live was strong. But he committed suicide just because he was kidnapped? Doesn’t that seem strange to you?”

Geom Mugeuk stared at him and added,

“Did you kill him yourself?”

The atmosphere chilled.

Hanseol stopped Geom Mugeuk.

“There’s no evidence.”

“When seeking a culprit, isn’t the first thing to consider who benefits most from the death?”

“That doesn’t mean you act solely on suspicion.”

With Hanseol supporting him, Yang Seok’s favor toward her naturally grew.

All this was part of Geom Mugeuk’s plan—he pressured Yang Seok, and Hanseol backed him up.

Geom Mugeuk then took the next step.

He walked toward Ha Gyeol standing at the guest hall entrance.

Having witnessed Ha Gyeol use blood techniques against a rival, Geom Mugeuk knew he was connected to the Blood King.

When Geom Mugeuk suddenly approached, Ha Gyeol quietly raised his internal power. From a distance, he observed Geom Mugeuk but could not gauge his strength—he didn’t feel overwhelmed, only a strange feeling.

Geom Mugeuk came close and asked,

“What is your name?”

“Ha Gyeol.”

Geom Mugeuk studied him quietly.

“You have a strong scent of blood.”

Had he recognized his true identity? Ha Gyeol tensed, ready to fight at any moment.

“You lived as a ronin before becoming a bodyguard, right?”

That question brought relief. The comment about blood scent meant Geom Mugeuk hadn’t detected mastery of blood techniques, just that Ha Gyeol was not an ordinary bodyguard.

“I really like bodyguards and ronin among martial artists. You fit both.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

While Geom Mugeuk dealt with Ha Gyeol, Hanseol was carrying out the most important task of the day.

With a light sigh, she sent a silent message to Yang Seok.

—I’m sorry. I brought that man for no reason.

It sounded as if she meant, “I thought you could handle the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master well, but even you can’t.”

Yang Seok’s pride was hurt. Yet he couldn’t insult or challenge the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master.

His emotions became complicated, and Hanseol cautiously sent another message.

—I debated whether to tell you this, but…

—What is it?

—I overheard the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master speaking with Chimma.

Thanks to Hanseol’s earlier support, Yang Seok subconsciously thought she was on his side.

—Tell me.

But Hanseol hesitated.

—It’s okay. Just say it.

After hesitating until the end, Hanseol carefully said,

—Don’t be surprised.

But Yang Seok could not help but be shocked by what she said.

—From the information we got, the Lord of Bukhyeolmun is considering someone other than Young Master Yang as successor.

Her father planning a successor other than his own son? It was like a bolt from the blue.

—The reason for seeking the Extreme Limit Technique is also related to this new successor.

As truth and lies mixed, Yang Seok was confused.

He couldn’t dismiss it as nonsense. He had killed his brother in front of his father. His father had watched without stopping him. That was the nature of his family.

—Did she say who it is?

Hanseol’s gaze slowly turned toward the entrance of the guest hall—toward the man tied up and listening to the stories from Geom Mugeuk.

—She said Ha Gyeol.