The news of Seobhonmajon’s death hit the school like a storm.

Though many had died recently, the death of a majon was on an entirely different level. An emergency was declared within the school, and a full-scale investigation began.

The ones sent out for the investigation were from our Yellow Spring Division. Given the severity of the matter, all the special investigators and twenty execution agents were dispatched to Seohwanjin.

Outside Seobhonmajon’s residence, his disciples and spirit-mediums were stationed.

“We cannot let you in.”

They refused to let us pass. They were panicked, unsure of how to handle the situation. For now, they decided to block our entry until other majons made a decision.

I didn’t force a confrontation with them.

“Well then. Could you at least let Elder Ma enter? We must handle the body properly so it doesn’t decompose, and the exact cause of death needs to be determined.”

Elder Ma was known for being politically neutral, and everyone in the main sect trusted and respected him, so they did not refuse the suggestion.

After a long period of thorough examination, Elder Ma came out and spoke to me and Seobhonmajon’s disciples.

“It seems he died from excessive qi release, causing severe damage to the heart and bloodstream. There are no signs of intrusion or combat, and he wasn’t poisoned, so it looks like he succumbed to the condition known as 'Juhwaipma'.”

His disciples sighed at the words, and I was secretly relieved.

With Elder Ma mentioning Juhwaipma, it meant that the investigation would avoid searching for a culprit.

After leaving Seohwanjin and heading toward Cheonmajeon to report, Seo Daeryong cautiously asked.

“...Isn’t that impossible?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know... that.”

Perhaps he was too shy to say it directly, so Seo Daeryong sent me a message.

—Did you kill Seobhonmajon?

—Why? Do you think I killed him?

—...You brought the child to me yesterday, the one who was almost sacrificed by the Sinhon Great Technique.

Not only that. Two months ago, when he was expelled, he had said with his eyes that he would turn the impossible into possible. Now, that impossible thing has turned into a reality.

—Do you really want to know?

—No, never mind! I’d rather not know! I’ll head back first.

Seo Daeryong turned his steps toward the Yellow Spring Division.

In the distance, I could see Cheonmajeon.

I wondered how my father would react.

I slowly walked along the path stained with blood.

As always, my father sat at his desk in the Taesa office. Today, General Sima Myeong was also present.

After greeting them both, Sima Myeong asked me.

“Prince, how was your expulsion?”

“It was an excuse. I had a good time.”

“You look healthier.”

“You should also take a break, General. Don’t just work all the time, take a walk, and slack off sometimes.”

“When a man who’s never played ends up playing, enemies tend to invade.”

We both smiled at Sima Myeong’s joke.

After exchanging some light pleasantries, I reported on Seobhonmajon’s death.

“Elder Ma concluded that he died from Juhwaipma.”

My father and Sima Myeong were silent for a moment. I could feel it. Neither of them believed the conclusion. What are the odds that someone as powerful as a majon would suddenly die from Juhwaipma?

So I made the first move.

“It’s hard to believe that Seobhonmajon died from Juhwaipma. There is also a possibility he was killed by someone.”

“That's possible too.”

“I will investigate the matter in the Yellow Spring Division.”

“This matter will be investigated by the majons.”

“Aren’t we going to handle it?”

“We cannot interfere with the deaths of majons. We can only watch and wait.”

“Well, in that case, I won’t intervene. It works out well for us.”

After discussing a few more details about the incident, Sima Myeong naturally excused himself.

Once Sima Myeong left, my father asked bluntly.

“How did he die?”

“What are you talking about?”

“How did Seobhon die?”

My father’s emotion wasn’t anger; it was curiosity. He wasn’t the type to hold onto dead people. He was probably thinking, How did he manage to kill Seobhon? And make it look like Juhwaipma?

“I wish I could give you a cool answer, saying something like, ‘I killed him this way and that way.’ But it’s an overestimation. No matter how skilled I am, I’m not capable of making Seobhonmajon die from Juhwaipma.”

I honestly wanted to tell him the truth. But explaining how I got the blood-stabilizing essence was impossible. At least, it was fortunate that Seobhonmajon died from Juhwaipma.

If he had died from a fight, the cause of death would have been thoroughly analyzed, and I would have had to find out who killed him. In that case, I would have had to bury the body somewhere. It would have been far more troublesome than the situation now.

“I was drinking with Elder Doma all night yesterday. He can vouch for my whereabouts.”

But my father scoffed.

“Did you go and kill him together?”

“No, absolutely not. Father, this is heaven’s punishment. Seobhonmajon was a monster who dug out hearts from living people.”

Either way, my father believed I had killed him.

But there was another reason I didn’t tell him the truth.

It would have been a burden for him. If he knew I had killed a majon, he would have had to turn a blind eye.

After a while, my father, who had been looking down at me silently, suddenly spoke.

“Now that Seobhon is dead, the other majons will start moving.”

The Eight Majons are a life-and-death community. The death of one person is a threat to the whole. Just as my father was suspicious of me, they might suspect me as well.

I calmly looked at my father and said.

“I just hope no other monsters come out during that process.”

After leaving Cheonmajeon, I went to Bukcheon Geomga.

I was greeted by Sa Ujong.

“Welcome, Prince.”

He greeted me with a brighter expression than usual.

If he hadn’t brought Seobhonmajon into the picture, I would never have known about the Sinhon Great Technique.

He was probably the most surprised and confused person in this situation. I should have died, but Seobhonmajon died instead.

He guided me all the way to Moak and, after a respectful greeting, turned to leave.

“Please, have your conversation.”

He was definitely no good, but I couldn’t punish him for involving Seobhonmajon either.

I decided to pretend not to notice and keep an eye on him, planning to use him when the time was right.

“Welcome, Prince.”

It was once a place where I never even glanced at, where only the flower garden was tended. But now, I was warmly greeted by Ilhwa Geomjon.

“Did you have a good time?”

“I heard you were expelled. Did you have a good time?”

“Yes. I went out to get some fresh air.”

“Every time I see you, you keep improving.”

“Do I seem different?”

Maybe it was due to our duel three days ago? She was certainly sensitive to my changes.

“I feel like I want to challenge you to another duel right away.”

“Let’s arrange a match soon.”

“Good. I’m always welcome.”

I handed her the gift I had brought.

“This is a small gift for you, Senior.”

What I brought was a seed that was difficult to find in this region.

“It’s a flower with a lovely fragrance.”

“Oh, a seed gift! ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) I’ve never received one before.”

“It’s my first time too.”

“Thank you. I’ll grow it well. Please, come in and have some tea.”

This was the first time I entered her home.

It was tastefully decorated and smelled pleasant.

“Your house is cozy and nice.”

“It’s nice, but it’s just a place where an old woman lives alone.”

“Old? Let’s take a walk through the streets of Hangzhou together. I bet the men will ask you for a drink every ten steps.”

“Don’t say such nonsense!”

She waved her hand, but couldn’t hide her smile. Compliments on her swordsmanship didn’t move her, but praise like this did.

“Let’s go next time. Elder Doma should come too.”

At the mention of Doma, her expression stiffened slightly. She still had issues with him. I was in between them, so she was careful not to show it, but reconciling them wouldn’t be an easy task.

She naturally changed the subject.

“Have you heard about Seobhonmajon’s death?”

“Yes, I heard.”

“The death... Do you have something to do with it?”

She stared at me intently.

At that moment, her gaze turned cold. Regardless of the affection she had for me, Seobhonmajon’s death was something that would make the other majons nervous.

The survival principle of their community was that if one falls, the rest could fall too.

“A conclusion was made by Elder Ma that he died from Juhwaipma.”

“No majon would believe that.”

“Even so, I don’t.”

At my firm response, Ilhwa Geomjon withdrew her suspicion, but I couldn’t tell whether it was truly gone or not.

“Why did you think it was me?”

It was probably because of our duel. She knew how close we were in skill.

“The ripple you caused made the lake stir. Ah, you prefer the stormy sea to a calm lake, don’t you? The moment you entered, the peaceful lake turned into a sea, and Seobhonmajon drowned in that sea first.”

“I’m just a fisherman in that sea. I don’t push people to drown.”

“That’s true. You caught Doma.”

“Is it difficult for you, Senior?”

“It might be possible if you let the fish you caught go. I don’t want to get into the net where Doma is trapped.”

I smiled faintly, but she didn’t smile back.

“People’s lives are unpredictable. Seobhonmajon, who had been so careful with himself... who would have thought he would be the first to die?”

“Seohwanjin will be in chaos for a while.”

“There will be a succession battle.”

When a majon dies, a successor takes over. The remaining seven majons must recognize the new leader.

Seobhonmajon had five disciples. Since he died before officially designating a successor, the one among his disciples with the most potential would take over.

“Who are you supporting?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, wouldn’t it be nice if someone from our side took over?”

“Our side?”

“Yes, from our side. My dueling friend.”

Before she could think of Doma, I made my move.

The phrase “dueling friend” seemed to amuse her, and for the first time, she smiled faintly.

“We can align with a dueling friend.”

After chatting with her a bit more, I said my goodbyes.

“I’ll be leaving now.”

“Thanks for coming despite being busy.”

Ilhwa Geomjon followed me out into the yard.

“Prince. When you fish, some fish are easily caught, while others fight to stay in the water. But be careful. Some fish might leap out and attack the fisherman, even overturning the boat.”

In other words, I was being warned to be careful of the other majons besides Doma and herself.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“And don’t forget, I’m not yet a caught fish.”

“Just by giving me this advice, doesn’t that already make you half a caught fish?”

Ilhwa Geomjon didn’t seem bothered by my words, perhaps because she accepted it.

“Until next time, take care.”

After leaving Moak, I looked back a bit later and saw her planting the seed I gave her in the ground. Just yesterday, she had been glaring at me, and now this relationship had formed.

She was right. People’s lives are unpredictable.

Just as my father and Ilhwa Geomjon warned, that night there was a special gathering of the eight majons.

It was called because of Seobhonmajon’s death. Since only the majons were allowed to attend, even my father didn’t know what was discussed there.

That night, Hyeolcheon Doma came to find me. His expression was grim.

“Do you have any alcohol?”