Lee Chu felt like his breath had stopped.

Had he ever been this startled in his life? Had he ever allowed anyone to approach this close?

Instinctively, Lee Chu tried to spring away.

The moment his body soared into the air, he sensed that the man standing beside him also rose alongside him. The man stuck to his side like a shadow.

As Geom Mugeuk grabbed his shoulder, Lee Chu, who had tried to break through the roof and escape, was smoothly brought back to his original spot.

The motion of being caught and returned was so fluid it seemed like both of them had cooperated to fly up and then come back down.

Lee Chu felt overwhelmed by the other’s martial skill. The move shown earlier, which quietly subdued the demonic blood, was far more difficult.

“Since we’ve started to expose things, let’s strip it all bare.”

Geom Mugeuk pulled at the plywood attached to the carriage.

Screeeeeech—

The wall of the carriage was revealed. It was a specially crafted carriage for Cheonma, made of unique metal. The sturdiest carriage in the martial world.

“Honestly, there’s no need to make it this sturdy considering who rides it.”

Lee Chu barely heard the words. His eyes were wide, staring at the carriage as if spellbound.

The painting on the carriage—

Just as Geom Mugeuk said, it wasn’t a crescent moon but horns.

A terrifying demonic face with two horns like a devil’s. Just seeing it chilled the spine.

Lee Chu froze completely. Only one martial organization openly bore such a symbol. If this was the carriage of the place he suspected—

‘I’m dead.’

He really never dreamed when he entered this stable that today would be his funeral day.

Whether Geom Mugeuk knew this or not, he came to Lee Chu’s side again, standing next to him calmly.

“Aren’t you scared? Was it necessary to paint this so realistically and terrifyingly? I get goosebumps every time I see it. How about you?”

Geom Mugeuk looked at him.

In a trembling voice, Lee Chu answered.

“It’s my first time seeing it.”

“Right, it’s not a painting anyone can just paint.”

Geom Mugeuk continued with meaningful words.

“Only truly high-ranking people can paint this.”

Normally, he would have said “just one person,” but he didn’t go that far.

Suddenly, suspicion bloomed in Lee Chu’s mind.

‘Huh? Are these loan sharks really con artists?’

He started to think maybe they weren’t. Did the truly high-ranking leaders of the demonic sect really only travel with three people? He found it hard to believe.

‘Anyone could pay a painter to draw something like this, right? And the fact that it was peeled off for me to see is suspicious.’

Then—

Snapping back to his senses, he realized he was standing in the sky. The sky was blue, and the surroundings were blue too. It felt like all this was a dream. Hoping it was a dream, he reached out his hand to the blue floor.

Splash.

It wasn’t sky but crystal-clear water. What he was seeing was the sky’s reflection on the water.

It was Geom Mugeuk’s “prayer.” The prayer suddenly emitted had drawn him into a new world.

But Geom Mugeuk’s true prayer was beneath his feet.

An invisible energy pulled him down into the water.

He kept sinking. The terror of the abyss where the bottom could not be seen overwhelmed him. The abyssal terror was endless and monstrous.

“Aaagh!”

When Lee Chu screamed, he was still standing before the carriage.

Geom Mugeuk was staring at him with deep eyes.

Only then could Lee Chu realize.

‘He’s not a con artist.’

But he immediately corrected himself.

‘No, they’re con artists. The greatest con artists ever.’

Everyone thought they were just martial artists, didn’t know they were the absolute masters of the demonic sect, and were happily heading to the main branch with them. They didn’t know they were being sent to investigate them.

Lee Chu squeezed his eyes shut.

“Kill me.”

His voice trembled.

“Any last words?”

“Who can I blame? I have to blame my fate for getting involved in this.”

Even while closing his eyes, his opponent did not kill him. When Lee Chu opened his eyes, Geom Mugeuk was still looking at the carriage wall.

“Why don’t you kill me?”

“What great crime did you commit that I would kill you? You just looked through the carriage.”

“You people are...”

“Why? Do we look like demons who kill everyone just by eye contact?”

Come to think of it, he still hadn’t suppressed Lee Chu’s demonic blood. He briefly thought of running but gave up.

“You’re sparing me?”

Of course, there was a condition.

“Just as Geum So-jeo hired us, let me hire you. Until this business ends and we leave.”

Lee Chu was surprised. He thought he was surely going to die, but a way out was opened.

“Are you loyal enough to risk your life for Geum A-jong?”

“No.”

“I thought so.”

The known Geum A-jong wasn’t someone worthy of such loyalty from his subordinates.

“Anyway, his fate probably has nothing to do with your decision. So don’t feel guilty. I’ll pay you triple what you’re getting now.”

“We’re just working for the pay with that person. No guilt.”

The problem was this: how this new opponent would treat him. This opponent was not a merchant offering more money in competition.

“Will you feed me loneliness?”

“That won’t happen.”

“What if I expose your identity? How can you trust me then?”

“You don’t trust yourself.”

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned toward the carriage wall.

“Trust this.”

Lee Chu’s gaze also turned to the demonic face painted on the carriage.

Geom Mugeuk made no threats. No warnings about lifelong imprisonment, torture, cruel death, or killing family.

That was what made it more frightening.

“What should I do?”

“I intend to intervene in the Geumryong family’s succession fight.”

Geom Mugeuk threw this declaration from the moving carriage. Geom Woo-jin answered.

“Isn’t that your specialty?”

“Starting fights between others is the most fun, after all.”

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason for his involvement.

“When a succession fight breaks out, everyone’s ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) attention will shift away from us. We’ll use that distraction to find and deal with the mastermind and then get out. Leave it to me.”

Geom Woo-jin nodded silently, as if to say, “Do as you see fit.”

At that moment, Hwi spoke from the driver’s seat.

“The horses are tired. Let’s take a break.”

The carriage slowly stopped.

Geum A-rin’s carriage that had been ahead was waiting there.

After letting the horses graze in the field, Hwi prepared a meal.

“I’ll prepare this meal.”

“I’ll help.”

Im Hyuk rolled up his sleeves but Hwi declined.

“Just rest. Take care of the meal during the next break.”

“Understood.”

Maybe because he realized they were all guards, Im Hyuk felt more concerned about Hwi than the others. He felt a strange kinship and the impression of meeting a great senior in the guarding profession.

Then Geum A-rin said to Geom Mugeuk,

“Let’s talk.”

“Sure.”

They slowly walked off together.

Im Hyuk tried to follow, but Geom Mugeuk said to him,

“You can rest while I’m with her.”

“I’ve never left the lady alone.”

Looking into his loyal eyes, Geom Mugeuk said,

“Try it once this time. If there’s ever a time to do it, today’s the best day.”

Geum A-rin simply watched as Geom Mugeuk did. She thought there must be a reason for this.

“Are you about to have a conversation I shouldn’t hear?”

Geom Mugeuk shook his head.

“No. I just mean you should rest. I know you can’t rest because you worry, but still, rest.”

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned to Hwi nearby. It was also directed at him: take a break on this journey. These loyal guards were skilled in everything except truly resting.

Geum A-rin nodded at Im Hyuk with a look that said to do just that.

Im Hyuk no longer refused.

“Understood. Go ahead.”

So Geom Mugeuk and Geum A-rin left.

Im Hyuk stared long after them, uneasy.

He couldn’t leave Hwi’s side, pacing around.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“No.”

Eventually, hesitant, Im Hyuk spoke up.

“There is. May I ask one thing?”

“Ask.”

He wasn’t sure if he was allowed to ask.

“About your niece. I wondered if always guarding her might hinder her growth as a martial artist. So I wondered if you told me to rest.”

Geom Mugeuk made an excuse, but it was his worry. He truly cared for Geum A-rin like a daughter and always tried to protect her. But he worried if that was ruining her.

He wanted to ask Hwi about this. He thought Hwi would have an answer.

“I don’t know what your niece thinks. Maybe she thinks so, or maybe you were just told to rest.”

Hwi shrugged, as if to say he didn’t know either, then looked at Im Hyuk.

“What does it matter to us?”

“Yes?”

“Growth as a martial artist is separate from us. Those who are to grow will grow well whether guarded or not. For us guards to worry about that is overstepping.”

It was a simple answer telling not to get emotionally involved with the one you guard, but it gave a feeling of relief.

How could he not think about it himself?

But no matter how much he worried, he couldn’t find an answer.

Hearing it from someone else, especially someone who felt like a senior in the guarding profession, made him think he just had to follow that advice.

“Yes, you’re right. It’s not my concern. Thank you for your guidance.”

That day, Hwi spoke more than usual. Just as Im Hyuk felt Hwi was special, it was a special connection for Hwi too. It was like meeting a junior martial artist troubled over guarding duty. So he gave that answer.

“Your niece is probably right. When she’s with you, she’s fine. So think of this as your last rest and enjoy it.”

Im Hyuk felt strange.

It’s hard to refuse when with these people. Geom Mugeuk, this guard, and that man standing with his back turned over there.

He thought they were all people beyond his capacity.

Im Hyuk’s gaze turned toward the direction Geum A-rin disappeared.

“So the lady must choose well.”

Geom Mugeuk and Geum A-rin stood side by side on a hill.

The view from the hill was beautiful.

Reeds waved as if alive, and the river beyond sparkled under the sunlight, flowing gracefully.

“I have something to say to you.”

Geum A-rin had been worried about one thing the whole time riding in the carriage. And she made up her mind. She was going to tell Geom Mugeuk her conclusion.

“The reason I contracted with you isn’t because you signed with the Silver Galaxy Guild and tried to kill me.”

“Then what is it?”

“To get help in the succession fight.”

She spoke honestly. This decision was also a gut feeling. Choosing Geom Mugeuk was a gut feeling, and so was the need to be honest. If this gut feeling was wrong, she was doomed.

“Make me the successor of the Geumryong family.”

Geom Mugeuk wasn’t very surprised.

“You knew.”

“I more or less guessed.”

Geum A-rin felt glad she spoke up. Even if she failed, the stability he gave was comforting. That’s why she could ask such a question.

“Can you make me the successor?”

“That depends on you.”

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze toward her was serious.

“How far can you trust me?”

Geum A-jong was also returning to the main branch.

He was actually going faster than Geom Mugeuk and Geum A-rin’s carriage. He planned to send Lee Chu ahead to investigate Geom Mugeuk.

And Lee Chu returned.

“Did you find anything?”

“Yes, I did.”

Lee Chu lowered his voice.

“Master, your guess was correct. I overheard their conversation by luck. They said they’re going to make a big move at the main branch.”

“See? I told you he’s a con artist! That damn con artist bastard!”

Geum A-jong was delighted that his prediction was correct.

“Any proof?”

“Not yet.”

Geum A-jong frowned. Without clear proof, it was useless. Even if Lee Chu said so, since he was his subordinate, he would just deny it.

“We need proof. Only then can we take down Arin.”

Lee Chu cautiously said,

“May I share my thoughts?”

“Go ahead.”

“Use them to frame not Sam Gong-nyeo but the eldest son.”

Unexpected.

“My older brother?”

“Your real competitor is the eldest son anyway, right?”

That was true. He worried the father might choose the younger brother as successor, but that was more like an obsession. The likely successor now was the older brother. Maybe he lacked the courage to face him and was escaping reality by tormenting the younger brother.

“That’s a good idea, but how?”

“Aren’t they con artists? Throw the eldest son to them as bait.”

Geum A-jong’s eyes popped wide. That made sense. If they could drag the older brother into this, the father’s and the main branch’s martial artists’ trust would surely plummet.

“Will the older brother easily fall for it?”

“We have to make him fall.”

“How?”

“I don’t know that much.”

He was told not to say too much or it would raise suspicion. The rest would be figured out by themselves. They were skilled schemers and would handle it well.

As expected, Geum A-jong began scheming.

“Bring my older brother to those con artists?”

His eyes shone cunningly.

An accident in the upper world was always costly. The younger brother caused a two million nyang accident.

“How big of an accident should the older brother cause?”