Yang Seok was deeply shocked.

‘Father is considering that person as the successor?’

The shock was heavy because it carried the sting of betrayal. Naturally, a suspicion crept over him.

‘So that’s why he called that person so often? Was he receiving reports about me, or not?’

At that moment, Hanseol sent him a silent message again.

―The Demon Sect’s information might be wrong. Find out for sure.

Geom Mugeuk had told her to say this. Not to try to deceive him but to empathize and think together. She didn’t yet understand why, but she followed his instructions.

―The Demon Sect’s information is probably correct.

Yang Seok knew very well how excellent the Demon Sect’s intelligence network was. His father had often emphasized that Bukhyeolmun should have an intelligence organization like the Demon Sect’s Tongcheonggak.

Of course, there was one possibility.

‘What if Hanseol is lying?’

Why would she do that? To sow discord between Ha Gyeol and me—what would she gain?

Another possibility was also there.

‘The Demon Sect might have deliberately fed false information to the Little Pill Master.’

He hoped it was the latter rather than the former. He didn’t want Hanseol to be allied with the Demon Sect.

None of the assumptions were certain, and Yang Seok was confused.

‘Whatever the trick or reason, they’ve underestimated me. I won’t fall for such a cheap trick.’

His gaze turned toward Geom Mugeuk and Ha Gyeol.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk looked their way and called out loudly.

“This friend here is a fine one. Come, join us.”

Geom Mugeuk led Ha Gyeol over to where Hanseol and Yang Seok were.

Naturally, Yang Seok and Ha Gyeol faced each other.

Seeing Ha Gyeol, Yang Seok’s mind became tangled.

‘Is it really you? Father named you as the successor?’

He wanted to grab Ha Gyeol by the collar and ask, but he forced himself to stay calm.

Ha Gyeol noticed Yang Seok’s unusual gaze.

But the reason—that he suspected Ha Gyeol as successor—was beyond his imagination. He had thought it was simply disdain toward the arrogant Demon Sect Little Pill Master. Besides, he knew Ha Gyeol liked the Little Pill Master of Binggung. This wouldn’t be an easy meeting.

Geom Mugeuk raised his voice excitedly alone.

“It’s fate that we’re gathered like this, so the four of us should drink together. I’ve been sober for a while, but with Elder Seo dead, that’s over. Let’s drink wildly like a wild stallion running free.”

When the Little Pill Master suggests drinking, what could Yang Seok say? He had come as a guest and had to entertain. Perhaps also because his mind was troubled, he craved alcohol.

“Very well. I’ll prepare the drinks.”

He called for Si-bi to prepare drinks in the guest hall.

But Ha Gyeol politely declined.

“I must meet the sect leader, so it’s difficult for me. I’ll take my leave.”

If he drank with Geom Mugeuk, his identity might be revealed. With the great task only two days away, he had to be cautious—even a falling snowflake was dangerous, let alone the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master.

He was not someone who would just chat like a neighborhood woman. Didn’t they know this?

Yang Seok coldly watched Ha Gyeol leave.

He had said earlier he was going to meet his father. They had been together all this time, yet now he says he must leave to see his father? Yes, he could lie to the Little Pill Master. But wasn’t this a place where Yang Seok was present?

‘He’s going without even noticing me?’

Geom Mugeuk stoked the fire of Yang Seok’s heart with sharp words, fanning it higher.

“Didn’t I say? He’s an interesting fellow. A bodyguard who leaves the one he must protect behind. Young Master Yang should understand. This friend is a former ronin, isn’t he?”

Yang Seok, oddly, defended Ha Gyeol.

“The sect leader’s orders are absolute.”

On the surface, he smiled, but smoke was rising inside him.

‘Is he ignoring me because he truly thinks he is the successor?’

Ha Gyeol had always been different from the ordinary subordinates. There was an aura about him that made it hard to treat him carelessly. Even the father treated him differently.

‘Was all that really because of this?’

If he hadn’t killed his younger brother himself, he wouldn’t have doubted this much. Because such an absurd thing happened, he thought absurd things could also happen.

There was only one way to quickly confirm this.

To meet the father and confirm it.

But he hesitated.

What if the Demon Sect’s information was true? How would his father react? He didn’t even flinch when the second son died right before him. Would he spare the first son?

As Yang Seok sank into dark thoughts, Geom Mugeuk sent Hanseol a silent message.

―You did very well.

Hanseol had done an excellent job. She had lied without batting an eye. Relationships with people were difficult, but deceiving people was not.

―Did I do well? I’m so good at deceiving people.

―Not because you’re a villainess but because you’re smart.

―You always seem prepared to answer any question.

―I’m smart, too.

Geom Mugeuk left her speechless.

Meanwhile, the guest hall table was set with fine drinks and food, and the three sat down.

Yang Seok poured Geom Mugeuk’s glass, thinking inwardly.

‘If this information is true, I’m keeping quiet even though I know I cannot be the successor. He’s not an easy man.’

Yang Seok downed two glasses quickly.

“Oh, Young Master Yang, you handle your drink well.”

He wasn’t usually a strong drinker, but today the liquor went down like water.

After several drinks, Geom Mugeuk and Hanseol began the promised conversation. Geom Mugeuk released his energy to block any eavesdropping. Now was the beginning.

“Little Pill Master, when do you return to the Demon Sect?”

“As you know, we killed Elder Seo and avenged Chimma, so our business is done. Now only the return remains, but Binggung asked me to investigate the Extreme Limit Technique, so that remains.”

Geom Mugeuk explained why he spoke lightly about such an important matter.

“To be honest, I have no interest in the Extreme Limit Technique.”

Pouring wine for Yang Seok, Geom Mugeuk asked,

“Young Master Yang, please tell me everything you know about the Extreme Limit Technique. Then I’ll report to Binggung and return to the sect. If you don’t want to tell me, you can tell the Little Pill Master.”

“I must know something first.”

Yang Seok answered politely. Indeed, he didn’t know much.

They had only searched for people with the Extreme Limit Technique alongside his younger brother but didn’t know what the technique would be used for.

Suddenly, Hanseol’s earlier words came to mind.

―The purpose of searching for the Extreme Limit Technique is related to the successor.

The successor is me? What if I know nothing?

That means Ha Gyeol and the Extreme Limit Technique are connected?

Geom Mugeuk summed up the current situation in the Northern Sea with one sentence.

“Old men’s lust for power is always the same.”

Here, the old men referred to Elder Seo and the Bukhyeolmun Lord.

Though it was an insult to his father, Yang Seok couldn’t deny it. No, he didn’t even want to. His father was clearly greedy for something he hadn’t even told his son.

He had trusted his father without a word, but now unbearable betrayal welled up.

“Come, drink.”

Geom Mugeuk kept urging drinks. Yang Seok’s face was already flushed with alcohol.

The Northern Sea incident began with Chimma, but even now alcohol played a big role.

Geom Mugeuk spared no means. Since the enemy used self-destruct techniques, they had no intention of fighting fairly.

Hanseol sent Yang Seok a silent message.

―Ask the Little Pill Master directly if that information is true.

―Won’t that reveal I told you?

―I’m fine with that. Since I said it, I have to accept that risk. Will you just hand the successor position to your subordinate like this?

Yang Seok asked suspiciously.

―Why are you trying to help me?

Geom Mugeuk had expected this question. Now Hanseol had to play her second most important role today—a short but powerful line.

―I want you to become the Lord of Bukhyeolmun.

Those words stirred passion in Yang Seok. Already liking Hanseol and now drunk, he felt a thrill he had never experienced before.

Geom Mugeuk could tell from Yang Seok’s expression what Hanseol had sent. Pretending not to know and just drinking, Yang Seok finally drew his sword.

“Little Pill Master, I ask you as a martial artist.”

“Why the intimidating tone?”

“Did father really name Ha Gyeol as successor?”

The smile vanished from Geom Mugeuk’s face. Instead of excuses, he looked coldly at Hanseol.

“It was you.”

Hanseol did not deny it.

“Yes. I overheard the Little Pill Master talking to Chimma and informed this man.”

“Not overheard, but eavesdropped.”

In fact, given their martial skills, Hanseol couldn’t have overheard their conversation.

But Yang Seok lacked accurate information on the three’s martial skills, and even if he ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) did, he was too emotionally overwhelmed to judge rationally. His focus was on whether it was true or not.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to help Young Master Yang.”

Hanseol bowed deeply. She herself felt a strange thrill. The mission was dangerous, wearing the Heavenly Palace Protective Armor, yet surprisingly she enjoyed this moment. She marveled at how naturally she could act.

Unaware of her feelings, Yang Seok stepped in when she was cornered.

“Don’t trouble innocent people. This is my issue; let’s settle it between us.”

He extended a cup, signaling to talk man to man, warrior to warrior.

“Did father really name Ha Gyeol as successor?”

Geom Mugeuk glared coldly at Yang Seok. Far colder than when he had smiled before.

Hanseol sensed that this contrast in expression increased the credibility of what Geom Mugeuk was about to say. Overpowering and deceiving others isn’t done just with words. A single expression or glance changes everything.

“You learned something you weren’t supposed to know.”

Geom Mugeuk’s tone made Yang Seok feel everything must be true. He was swept away by the atmosphere Geom Mugeuk created.

“This is my business. It’s only right that I know. I’ll ask again—did father really name Ha Gyeol as successor?”

With a resigned expression, Geom Mugeuk calmly replied.

“Yes.”

“Do you have proof?”

“We put all our intelligence resources into this matter. My words are the proof.”

Geom Mugeuk’s serious expression made him seem like someone who would never lie. Yang Seok was confused—had his father really abandoned him?

“If your sect leader finds the Extreme Limit Technique, you might fall into trouble.”

Though politely said as “might fall into trouble,” it implied he might be eliminated. It was meant to prevent him from confirming by visiting the Bukhyeolmun Lord.

“That’s why the Demon Sect’s Tongcheonggak is watching this case closely. It’s not common to name someone else successor after removing their own kin.”

This time, he used the words “removing kin” explicitly. Each word was carefully calculated.

Suddenly, Yang Seok thought about why his father so easily allowed the death of his younger brother. Was it because they weren’t Extreme Limit Technique bearers and therefore unnecessary?

The flame of suspicion burning in his heart now gave off dark smoke.

“When looking for a special constitution, isn’t the usual purpose to perform a grand ritual? It might be a grand ritual that should never be revealed. The sect is on high alert because of this. Thanks to that, I’m the only one who’s bothered.”

Doubt that was half held was now stronger. Geom Mugeuk had no reason to lie about this. Why would the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master stay in the cold Northern Sea if not for some important reason?

“Now, since I’ve spoken honestly, you should also honestly tell me what you know about the Extreme Limit Technique.”

Yang Seok hesitated for a moment but finally spoke.

“I don’t know exactly. Father said it was important and must be handled secretly. Ah, he also said the Extreme Limit Technique would make Bukhyeolmun the strongest sect in the Northern Sea.”

Hanseol felt a chill. That meant they intended to bring down Binggung.

‘If that’s the plan, then you’ll be wiped out by us, not the Demon Sect.’

Geom Mugeuk subtly suggested a solution.

“If you find the Extreme Limit Technique first, it will be easily resolved.”

He added nonchalantly, as if uninterested.

“Be sure to contact me when you find out—either me or the Little Pill Master here.”

“I will.”

The three drank again.

At this moment, Yang Seok was making a decision that would change his fate.

“I will steal the Extreme Limit Technique and eliminate Ha Gyeol.”

If they truly intended to name Ha Gyeol as successor, killing him was natural. Even if the information was false, it didn’t matter.

A subordinate who had been a thorn in his side would just die. If right, he saves himself; if wrong, he loses one subordinate.

The problem was his father. If his father found out that he had stolen the Extreme Limit Technique and killed Ha Gyeol, he wouldn’t just stand by. How to avoid responsibility?

Yang Seok raised his eyes to look at Geom Mugeuk.

‘If the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master steals the Extreme Limit Technique, if Ha Gyeol dies by his hand?’

He planned to use Geom Mugeuk as a borrowed knife for killing. Among all knives in the martial world used by others, this was the most terrifying and strongest.

If this was a mere trick, he was already entertaining a darker thought.

‘What if the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master even kills my father?’

Now a blazing flame raged in his heart—an inferno mixed with suspicion, anger, and desire.

‘All this will be your doing. Yes, laugh like a fool.’

As if reading his mind, Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and raised his glass.

“Seeing you makes me feel Bukhyeolmun’s gates have fully opened.”

Yang Seok did not understand the meaning behind those words, but Hanseol did. She remembered saying she would open the gates of Bukhyeolmun just like Ian opened the gates of Hell.

And now Geom Mugeuk was telling her the gates had been opened.

“Now, a toast to Bukhyeolmun!”

Between clashing desires and grief, a toast of admiration was added.