For a while after that day, I focused only on teaching Ian, the Hwangcheon Pavilion, and my own training.

Ian quickly mastered the Bicheon Sword Technique, just like cotton absorbs water. She was more talented in martial arts than I had thought. On top of that, with her hard work, her accomplishments were surprisingly fast.

One thing I realized while teaching Ian.

Teaching is also learning at the same time.

I objectified myself by explaining what I already knew.

‘Oh, I was thinking of this herbivore this way.’

I got a chance to think again about things I had never seriously thought about.

Teaching is not just about scooping out stagnant water. If you teach without sincerity and sloppily, the water will dry up and be exhausted, but if you teach with deep thought and sincerity, the size of the well will increase.

That’s why I was learning while teaching Ian. Since I had never taught anyone in my life, this process was an incredible experience for me.

During a short break in the middle of training, she asked seriously.

“Master, are you really going to make the Ghost Corps?”

“Yes.”

“Then can I make the uniform? I want to make it stylish, not a dull black uniform. I want to make it with different colors and shapes for the school uniform and the uniform for military use.”

At that moment, I almost burst out laughing. Since I decided to make the Ghost Corps, I have never thought about the color or shape of the uniform. Come to think of it, all the uniforms I have worn in my life were the same.

“I also want to divide the masks that cover the face according to the difficulty of the operation. The ghosts on the masks should be drawn stylishly yet terrifyingly so that just looking at them makes your stomach churn… Why are you laughing?”

“I wonder what a stylish yet scary ghost looks like.”

“I can draw pictures too. I’ll show you later.”

“The guys who will be joining the Ghost Corps in the future will wear cool clothes.”

“Don’t tease me.”

Ian is a very delicate person. If his mind, which was focused on me, were to turn to others, he would become a great master who would comfort everyone’s hearts.

“The most important thing is your skills. Guiyingdae will carry out the most dangerous mission in the martial arts world. Whether the operation is successful or the damage to his subordinates is minimized, it all depends on your skills.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

“And one more thing. There is something more important than skills.”

“What is that?”

“The determination to lose a subordinate. A strong mind that will not be hurt even if you lose a subordinate.”

Ian stared at me.

“You think I look like a child to you. I am always like this by your side.”

“No?”

“No. I am not a child, and I am not as innocent and kind as you think. I don’t feel so bad about losing a subordinate that I die. I am worried that you will be disappointed in me later. I wonder if he was such a cold-hearted guy.”

“I won’t be disappointed by that. That’s fine.”

Ian, thinking that the topic had already been brought up, poured out his heart.

“When you said you would teach me the Bicheon Sword Technique, I finally felt like my feet were on the ground.”

“What do you mean?”

“Honestly, up until then, I felt like I was floating in the air. A ghost group? Will such an organization ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) really be formed? Will I be the one to lead it? Really? The master is caught up in some kind of passion right now. I had these thoughts. But when I memorized the Bicheon Sword Technique, I felt that this was real. Can I handle all of this? Oh, I’m sorry. Oh, I wasn’t going to ask such insecure questions anymore.”

“You can. No, you have to. How can you walk down a path that will change the fate of countless people without asking these questions? You have to do it today, tomorrow, and ten years from now. It’s a path that you have to keep asking questions. I’ll keep nagging you. We have to keep asking each other.”

People who don’t ask these questions are like Palmazone.

They believe that their decisions are right because they think they are better than others. They don’t care about or empathize with others. They don’t ask questions.

“Yes, Master. I’ll ask whenever I’m confused about whether this is right. I’ll ask Master, and I’ll ask myself.”

I patted Ian on the head.

“That’s great.”

Ian blushed slightly and smiled bashfully.

“Okay, let’s start training again!”

“Yes!”

When I finished training, I brought her a book on organizational management, mercenary techniques, and the leader’s training.

“Read it when you have time.”

“Yes.”

These days, she’s been neglecting learning about Hwangcheon-gak because she’s been training hard. Even through books like this, she needs to learn how to run an organization.

A few days later, I went to Namdo-jong to meet Hyeolcheon-doma.

When I entered Namdo-jong, demons came out and looked at me.

Since this is a place where people live, some are trash and some are good. All kinds of people live together.

Basically, I don’t have any ill feelings toward them. Thanks to them, I was able to successfully complete the Heavenly Vein Strengthening Technique.

The demons also showed favor toward me because I had a good relationship with Hyeolcheon-doma. Also, when I used the Heavenly Vein Strengthening Technique, many people admired my courage and spirit, so some looked at me with respect.

Some of the demons came to me and greeted me politely, and some even applauded and cheered from afar. Is it because they resemble their master? The demons are cutely crazy.

I waved at them.

I was guided by the demons and arrived at the office of Hyulcheon Doma.

The one who was surprised by my visit was Hyulcheon Doma.

“Did something come up that would catch me?”

“Did you commit a sin in the meantime?”

“I am a sinful person.”

“Fortunately, not today.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I came to give you this.”

I handed Hyulcheon Doma what I had brought.

“What is this? Is it a box that spews out poison when you open it?”

“Where can I buy a box like that? I want to buy a few.”

“What is it?”

“Open it.”

When he opened the box, it contained a poisonous liquor. Coincidentally, it was the exact opposite of his joke.

“It’s the best poison liquor.”

“I know it when I see it. But why this?”

“It’s a gift.”

“A gift? Why this expensive thing all of a sudden?”

“It’s a birthday gift.”

For a moment, Hyeolcheondoma froze in surprise.

“What?”

“Happy birthday. It’s your birthday today, right?”

“Is today my birthday?”

Hyeolcheondoma’s voice trembled as if he had never thought about it.

“You didn’t know?”

“I’ve forgotten about birthdays for a long time. How did you know?”

“Who am I? There’s no information that isn’t in Hwangcheongak. I even know how many pairs of underwear you have.”

“How many?”

“That was an exaggeration. Anyway, congratulations.”

It was clearly an intentional favor, an effort to make him a real man.

I bowed to him and turned around.

“Are you really here to give me a present?”

“Yes. It’s just a birthday present, so don’t feel pressured at all.”

“Are you just going to leave?”

“I’m busy. Let’s have a drink at Pungryu Bar later tonight. I’ll wait. Oh, and don’t think about beating him up today.”

I left the office, leaving him still standing there blankly.

I looked inside before closing the door. Bloody Cheon Do-ma, looking down at the poisoned liquor, had an expression I’d never seen before. I realized for the first time that his expression was one of emotion.

“By the way, is it true?”

Seo Dae-ryong, who was walking down the hallway with me, asked with a surprised face.

“What?”

“You gave Do-ma a birthday present.”

“How did you know?”

“Oh my. It really was.”

“How did you know?”

“How would you know? I knew because of the rumors. Of course I thought it was a false rumor.”

I burst out laughing. If the gift that was given in front of the two of them had spread, then Doma bragged about the gift he received to the demons. It really doesn’t seem like that, but he secretly talks a lot.

“Why did you give it to me?”

“I gave it to you because it was your birthday.”

“I really don’t understand the relationship between you two.”

That would be true. There were several incidents that could have made us enemies, but Doma and I are becoming closer and closer.

“You don’t become close just by exchanging nice words.”

I went into the main hall at the end of the hall with Seo Dae-ryong.

All the Hwangcheon-gak investigators and enforcers were gathered there.

“Has it been a long time since we’ve all gathered in one place like this?”

“Yes.”

I heard a loud answer. The enforcers’ morale was sky-high after the training. The investigators also handled the Baekdogwi case well and were all full of courage.

“I came to pour some fuel on your burning morale today.”

Everyone looked curious.

I handed the envelopes I had prepared to Seo Dae-ryong. The envelopes were numbered according to the number of Hwangcheon-gak soldiers.

Seo Dae-ryong was surprised when he checked the envelopes.

“What kind of money is it?”

Inside were 1,000-nyang vouchers.

“Give one to each of you.”

“Yes.”

Seo Dae-ryong handed out what was inside to everyone.

“This money is a special gift from me to you.”

Everyone cheered at the word gift.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

I said loudly to everyone.

“Our Hwangcheon-gak must be an organization that does not tolerate any external pressure, so this money is given to us. In short, do not accept bribes. If you suddenly need money, come to me. I will give you a raise. If it doesn’t work out with the salary, I will lend you my own money.”

“Yes!”

Everyone’s expressions brightened when they received unexpected money.

Nagging when you are in a good mood only reduces the points you worked hard to earn.

“Dismiss.”

Seo Dae-ryong followed him as he left the main hall.

“Master. How did you know?”

“What?”

“Ik-ho needs money. He has been looking for money lately because his younger brother is getting married. When his parents were alive, he spent all the money on medical expenses. Now, he has no pockets to spare because he is taking care of his younger brothers.”

“How did I know? I didn’t know.”

“Don’t lie.”

Actually, I did. I found out by chance and was going to give Ik-ho, but now that it has turned out like this, he has become a giver.

“There’s nothing to be so moved about. It’s all for me."

“It’s an investment.”

“Investment for Confucius?”

“If it gets rumored that I spend a lot of money, wouldn’t people secretly expect it? Thinking that I’ll spend more when I become the Heavenly Horse. Then everyone will want me to become the Heavenly Horse. I’m such a shallow person.”

“Did you really think that far?”

“No. I thought that way because you asked. I guess other people can think that way too.”

“As expected, you know about Ikho.”

“It’s a matter of giving. Everyone has suffered a lot. Is that so important?”

“It’s important. Do you think loyalty just comes naturally?”

“Don’t be fooled by something like this!”

Seo Dae-ryong stared at me and said.

“Because this is a world where people don’t even use tricks like this, but only use people.”

Then he bowed his head and went his own way.