Ma Bul did not go to his quarters but instead returned to Geom Mu Yang.

After meeting Geom Mu Geuk, Ma Bul felt the desire to see Geom Mu Yang once more. It seemed that only after seeing him again would he be able to sleep.

“Did you arrive?”

He was always neat and polite.

Since they had met earlier and parted, normally he would have asked, “Why did you come again?” But Geom Mu Yang did not express private curiosity or emotions easily.

Ma Bul thought that perhaps the obsession with becoming the Heavenly Demon made him behave this way.

There had never been a day when that distance felt so pronounced, but Ma Bul was not one to be swayed by such things.

“His Highness the Duke visited.”

“Mu Geuk, is it?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Geom Mu Yang did not ask what they had talked about when they met. He simply nodded once.

“Why don’t you ask? Why did he come? What did you talk about?”

“It’s fine. I trust you, Elder.”

Ma Bul thought to himself that he had come to the right place.

‘Yes, the Duke is always like this. He’s not delicate or talkative, but a person with genuine substance. Yes, I should trust ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) him. This is how we resolve everything.’

Ma Bul tried to clear away the accumulated emotions within himself.

He had shaken off the thoughts of meeting the Wind Sky Sect Leader, even the proposal he made to Blood Heaven Butcher about giving him the position of First Martial Master. He discarded it all.

“Well, then, please rest.”

Ma Bul stood up. It would have been good if things had ended there. If he had just left it all to himself and thrown away all the remnants of these emotions.

Geom Mu Yang spoke from behind.

“The proposal to Blood Heaven Butcher regarding the position of First Martial Master was made to persuade him.”

Ma Bul froze, startled.

‘Why now? Why now? He didn’t say this when I was desperate to hear it. Why is he talking about this after meeting Geom Mu Geuk?’

Afraid his emotions might show on his face, Ma Bul did not turn around immediately.

Geom Mu Yang spoke again from behind.

“If I become the Heavenly Demon, you will naturally be the First Martial Master.”

Ma Bul became angry.

It felt as though Geom Mu Yang was treating him like an object, and now that he thought Geom Mu Geuk might sway him, he hurried to make such statements.

‘Why make me feel this way? You said you trust me, didn’t you?’

Even though he tried to understand it as human nature, it still upset him.

‘Duke, weren’t you the one who dismissed your brother so easily? Didn’t you once boast that someone like Mu Geuk would be nothing?’

But Ma Bul could not be angry. He was the one who had tried to show how much Geom Mu Geuk had changed, even bringing up the Southern Monster to prove it.

Yes, your brother is someone you must take seriously.

But it shouldn’t have led to mistrust…

Ma Bul forced a smile and turned around.

“I expected that you would.”

“I’m worried you might misunderstand my words since I’m speaking after meeting my brother.”

Ah, he shouldn’t have said that. If he had not, he could have thought that it was just a coincidence, that he was being careless, or that he had misunderstood. He would have made himself believe that.

“Why would I misunderstand? I’m just grateful that you value me.”

“It’s only natural. Don’t say such things.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Ma Bul gave a polite bow and left Geom Mu Yang’s quarters.

That night, with no moonlight, Ma Bul walked alone on the dark road back to his own quarters, organizing his thoughts.

‘He’s still young. If he were perfect like the Duke, why would I be needed? A Duke with weaknesses is better than a slippery one like him. I just need to keep an eye on him.’

His loyalty to Geom Mu Yang shone as brightly as the aura that emanated from him.

“Well, here’s a gift.”

She handed me a potted plant, full of blooming flowers.

“Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

I placed the pot by the window.

While we were chatting about the flowers, Seo Daeryong entered with tea. Feeling playful, I spoke to him in a stern voice.

“From now on, when I’m not here, that flower is your responsibility, Investigator Seo. It was a special gift from Sword Master Ilhwa. If it dies because of anyone’s mistake, you know what will happen.”

If it had been just the two of us, a flood of melancholy but humorous words would have come out. But with Sword Master Ilhwa present, Seo Daeryong obediently answered “yes” and left.

Though we had all gone together when we visited the Wind Sky Sect Leader before, Seo Daeryong still found Sword Master Ilhwa to be a rather intimidating figure.

“I hope you didn’t come because you’re too busy.”

“No, it’s nothing. The investigators handle the work; I’m just slacking off.”

Though, given the pile of documents on my desk, I couldn’t say it was nothing.

The Yellow Spring Division was indeed busy.

No matter how many we locked away, villains just kept coming. Perhaps the number of villains was fixed; maybe when one died, another simply took their place. I even had the thought that maybe the balance of evil had a set limit.

But no matter how busy, the Yellow Spring Division’s work was as important as succeeding the position.

I carried the monumental task of killing Hwa Mugi, but at the same time, I was living through this era.

“Your brother visited, didn’t he?”

I had already guessed why she came today.

“Yes, he did.”

“He’s quite diligent, our Duke.”

“Of course, that’s why he’s so popular.”

I nodded, acknowledging that truth. Though he had been cruel and harsh toward me, his public persona was very different.

Being the Duke, it was only natural for him to become the successor, but he was neither arrogant nor complacent about it. He was always thinking, pondering, and most of all, he was hardworking.

“I know that many people like him.”

“The Duke fits well with this sect. If we leave him to it, there’s a sense of stability, like he will lead us well.”

“And me?”

“You’re someone who doesn’t fit at all. You make me wonder where you’ll lead us. You make us anxious. Yet, despite all that, you have this much popularity…”

After a short pause, Sword Master Ilhwa continued.

“I think there’s hope for us.”

“What hope?”

“Hope that the new martial path you mentioned could be established.”

“Thank you for thinking so.”

“But don’t forget, there are still many who dislike change in this sect. Many believe that evil is our strength and essence.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“By the way, now that the Duke is moving so quickly, are you just going to stand by and watch?”

“Since I don’t know much about the other Martial Masters except for Master Doma and you, I don’t know who to pull to our side.”

I pretended not to know what she was thinking, hoping she would reveal more.

Then, she said something unexpected.

“When we were choosing the Sub-Union Master, do you know who voted for Cheong Seon, besides Doma and me?”

“I don’t know. Master didn’t tell me.”

“Should I tell you?”

Normally, decisions made among the Martial Masters were kept strictly confidential. She was about to break that rule for my sake.

“Would it be alright for you to tell me?”

“It’s not allowed.”

“Then why?”

“I’m trying to break the rules a little.”

She smiled as she said this. How could she not be someone who had crossed half the line?

“Actually, I’m quite rigid and inflexible. If there’s a set rule, I don’t like to break it. If I have an appointment with someone, I’ll arrive early, and if I’m misunderstood, I can’t sleep. I worry about things I don’t need to, and I’m sensitive to the way people see me. I have a tiring personality.”

“That tiring personality has made your reputation, hasn’t it?”

Sword Master Ilhwa smiled bitterly.

“In some ways, yes. But now I’m trying to be more flexible. What’s wrong with breaking a rule now and then? If it helps you, then it’s worth it.”

“Has something changed in your heart?”

“I think I’m getting old. I keep looking back at my life. There are many regrets, but the one I regret most is this.”

She drew her sword gently. Her gaze was fixed on the blade.

“I’ve dedicated my whole life to making sure this sword never breaks. But because of that, my life became just as rigid.”

She looked away from the sword and stared at me.

“I regret living a life so rigidly.”

I felt that she was truly regretful.

I softly spoke, as if comforting her.

“You’re upset because no one seems to recognize that life, right? You’ve lived so thoroughly, but it seems no one really understands it. Everyone else seems to get by easily, while you’ve held on to regrets.”

Sword Master Ilhwa’s face showed surprise.

“How do you understand my heart so well?”

“I’ve felt it too, at least once.”

“I respect you very much, Master.”

Sword Master Ilhwa smiled widely.

“Alright, I’ll tell you. Someone who understands me so well and respects me—why would I keep secrets? The person who voted for Cheong Seon was none other than the notorious Guk Ak So Ma.”

I was taken aback.

“Surprised?”

“Yes. Guk Ak So Ma is from your brother’s side, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

It was unexpected.

It was surprising that Guk Ak So Ma sided with us, and even more so that he was persuaded by Doma.

Sword Master Ilhwa interpreted it this way:

“They are both villains, so they probably got along well.”

I chuckled, but she was serious.

“If it weren’t for Guk Ak So Ma, I wouldn’t be telling you this. He’s not someone to be taken lightly. Doma might have other plans.”

I asked, smiling.

“Do you hate Doma so much?”

“I don’t hate him. To hate someone, you have to feel strongly about them. I just don’t like him very much.”

She made a point to distance Doma from her life and stood up.

“Well, I’ll be leaving now.”

“Thank you for the valuable information.”

“Consider it a gift from the unarmed friend.”

As she was about to leave, Seo Daeryong stood in the hallway, holding a watering can for the potted plant.

His attempt to appear good in front of Sword Master Ilhwa had backfired a little, as she had become slightly sensitive when Doma was mentioned.

As she left, Sword Master Ilhwa said coldly to Seo Daeryong, now a disciple of the infamous Doma.

“That flower is my most cherished one. If anyone makes a mistake and it dies, I will be very sad.”

When she left, Seo Daeryong looked upset.

“From now on, I’m the third most important person in this office. This flower’s name will now be ‘Second-in-command.’”

I chuckled at his self-deprecating joke as I left the office.

“Where are you going?”

“To meet Guk Ak So Ma.”

“Gosh! You’re going to see such a terrifying person like it’s just another meal?”

“Is he scary?”

Seo Daeryong widened his eyes in surprise.

“Isn’t he scary? He’s the scariest Martial Master in our sect.”

“You used to say Sub-Union Master was the scariest.”

“Well, he’s dead now.”

“Why is Guk Ak So Ma scary? Because of the ‘Ak’ in his name?”

“Didn’t you hear? When Guk Ak So Ma gets angry, he’s terrifying.”

“If he gets angry, so am I. You’re probably the scariest person of all.”

“Please exclude me. I’m the kind of person who bottles up my anger alone. My dream is to live a life without ever getting angry. That’s the kind of person I was…”

Now, both of us knew quite well how much things had changed, and we smiled at each other.

“Are you really not scared?”

“Why would I be scared to see a funny person?”

“A funny person?”

“He’s So Ma, isn’t he?”

With the “Ak” in front, people often forget his name is So Ma, even Seo Daeryong.

“Don’t you think it will be more fitting to call him So Ma after the ‘Ak’ is removed? When you take off the ‘Ak,’ there’s only killing left—burn, tear, burst, all kinds of killing. Ah! Please tell me you’re not planning to bring Guk Ak So Ma to our side, please tell me you’re not.”

“Are you scared of him being an enemy or scared of him being an ally?”

“Of course… but still, Guk Ak So Ma can’t be on our side!”

Despite saying this, I knew better than anyone that Guk Ak So Ma could never be one of us.

But the reason I was going to meet him was to make sure he would neither be an ally nor an enemy.