“Welcome.”

At the appearance of the elderly man during the tea gathering, the Mistress of Blood Night Palace greeted him respectfully. When the group turned their heads, they saw an old man with snow-white hair struggling to walk, supported by a young man at the entrance of the main hall.

The white-haired elder stopped walking and stared wide-eyed at the Sword Demon.

“Oh… You really did come, Left Guardian.”

The Sword Demon stood up with a surprised expression and approached the old man.

“Elder Commander, it’s been a long time.”

The old man lightly tapped the back of the young man who was supporting him.

“Yongmyeong, thank you. Wait for me over there.”

“Yes, sir.”

I widened my eyes as I stared at the old man and the Sword Demon. The Sword Demon naturally supported the elder and guided him to the table where they had been drinking tea.

Up close, the elder looked well over a hundred years old.

The Mistress of Blood Night Palace personally poured tea and rotated the round table toward him.

“Please have some, Elder.”

The elder replied with a bright smile.

“Thank you, Mistress. I heard guests had come after a long time, so I decided to come out. I’m so glad to see the Left Guardian’s face again before I die.”

The old man gently patted the Sword Demon’s back like one would a grandchild. The Sword Demon smiled and replied.

“Elder, I left the Cult after clashing with the Cult Leader. I’m no longer the Left Guardian.”

“Oh, is that so? I didn’t know.”

The elder looked around at those seated at the table and added,

“It’s troubling how fewer people are speaking frankly around the Cult Leader these days. Who are these young ones with ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ you?”

In response, Gyoyeong introduced us.

“This is Young Lord Mong Yeon of the Dreaming Wind Clan, and this here is Yi Zaha, the Master of Haomun, who is traveling with the Sword Demon.”

The elder looked at me and the womanizer before introducing himself.

“Young Lord Mong, Master Yi. This old man is Heo Gyeom.”

Since he was obviously very elderly, both the womanizer and I replied respectfully.

“Elder, I am Mong Yeon. Please speak comfortably.”

“I’m Yi Zaha, Elder.”

Considering even the Mistress used honorifics and the Sword Demon stood up for him, he was clearly being treated as a Great Elder.

Elder Heo Gyeom asked the Mistress of Blood Night Palace,

“Mistress, what were you discussing? I hope I’m not intruding. Truth is, I came here because I wanted to join the conversation when I heard the former Left Guardian was visiting.”

The Mistress gestured toward me.

“This Master of Haomun intends to eliminate a group of assassins called Saryugok and has asked for our help. Do you know of Saryugok, Elder?”

Heo Gyeom pulled a worn notebook from the wide sleeve of his robe.

“Saryugok, let me see… I recall something. But let me check the record, just to be sure.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to the worn notebook in Heo Gyeom’s hands.

As he opened the frayed cover, the pages were filled with tiny handwriting. After flipping through several pages, Heo Gyeom read a passage.

“There’s a short note under the assassin section. Saryugok is always shrouded in mist. A renegade Instructor Seven and his disciples went into hiding there and carried out assassinations. Some of them had learned formation arts, making it difficult to root them out. Many middle-ranking members of the Cult died, and many sent to suppress them also fell. Eventually, they were subdued by a Cult-appointed Instructor One, who beheaded the remnants and burned down their dwelling. However, Instructor Seven’s body was never found. It seems they’ve reestablished themselves?”

I stared quietly at Elder Heo Gyeom before replying.

“I don’t know all the details. They kept sending assassins after me, and I discovered the place while tracking them.”

Heo Gyeom looked at me and smiled.

“Young, yet already troubled by assassins. You must have been very active.”

I felt a strange sensation from Elder Heo Gyeom as I replied,

“I’ve been fighting here and there. That’s how it happened.”

Judging by how he walked, the old man had clearly lost his martial arts.

And yet, he didn’t seem weak in the slightest. He was someone naturally deserving of respect.

It wasn’t just his age that gave him this air.

It felt like the aura of someone who had once shaken the world with his power still lingered around him.

Why he had grown so frail now was unclear.

Regardless, the Mistress showed him the utmost respect, and even the Sword Demon had jumped up to support him. This Elder Heo must have once been an important figure in the Cult.

Gyoyeong asked,

“Elder, what is this Instructor Seven you mentioned?”

Elder Heo Gyeom replied,

“Oh, that’s just my own term. Most of my records are about the Cult. Instructor Seven simply means the seventh instructor who trained assassins in the Cult. Think of it like Captain Seven of an assassin organization. When the Cult was at its peak, there truly were many talents. During the succession struggles, the Cult’s power weakened, and some instructors left to form their own assassination groups. These instructors passed on the worst of the Cult’s teachings. Mistress, I believe it would be wise for you to assist the Master of Haomun in cleaning out the assassins of Saryugok.”

The Mistress nodded.

“Yes, Elder.”

At this point, it was hard to tell who the actual leader of the palace was.

I stared quietly at Elder Heo Gyeom.

Regardless, he had to be a legendary figure in the Demonic Cult. I had no prior knowledge of past members of the Cult, but based on the atmosphere and context, it was obvious.

Anyone who survived past a hundred in the Demonic Path…

Just think how many battles, betrayals, deaths, and rebirths this man must have seen with his own eyes.

In terms of age, he was like a divine sage. I sipped my tea, feeling an odd sense of awe.

Elder Heo Gyeom, as if cherishing his remaining time, eagerly participated in the conversation. Then suddenly, he turned to the womanizer and said,

“Young Lord Mong.”

“Yes?”

“May I see your hand? I’d like to check your internal energy.”

The womanizer looked slightly flustered but, after checking the Sword Demon’s expression, extended his hand. Elder Heo Gyeom took his wrist like a physician checking a pulse and smiled.

“Ah… Could it be? A survivor of Jade Flower Palace…”

The womanizer nodded slightly.

“Yes, on my mother’s side.”

Elder Heo Gyeom gently patted the womanizer’s hand.

“You’ve grown so well. I’d heard the line of Jade Flower Palace hadn’t been cut off, but it’s the first time I’m seeing it for myself. I’m glad the legacy of such excellent martial arts remains. Young Lord Mong.”

“Yes?”

“You must have gone through much hardship in your training.”

“Oh, not at all. I’ve received proper guidance from my master.”

The Sword Demon nodded.

“Elder, he is my disciple.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Elder Heo Gyeom smiled at the Sword Demon.

“For the Left Guardian to take a disciple—that’s surprising. Jade Flower Palace’s ice arts are great even at their peak, so don’t pass on your Light Sword Technique to him.”

The Sword Demon nodded again.

“I have no intention to.”

Suddenly, I sat up straighter.

This old man—he’s no ordinary fellow.

If a seasoned war veteran lived another fifty years after retirement, he might become someone like this elder.

Unfortunately, this time, Elder Heo Gyeom turned his gaze toward me.

I looked back at him and thought,

‘Ah… let’s not do this.’

Elder Heo Gyeom spoke in a courteous tone.

“Master Yi, you may find this offensive, but I have a nature that cannot endure curiosity… May I examine your internal energy as I did with Young Lord Mong?”

Though I knew it came from no ill intent, I replied in a reluctant tone.

“Of course. I would be honored by your guidance.”

Elder Heo Gyeom lightly placed his fingers on my wrist, then soon withdrew them.

Suddenly, his expression changed as he stared at me in silence.

“……”

***

Gyoyeong stood and brought over some water.

“Elder, please drink some.”

With the atmosphere chilled, the Mistress of Blood Night Palace, the Sword Demon, and the womanizer all watched Elder Heo Gyeom and me in turn, saying nothing.

After drinking the water, Elder Heo Gyeom’s expression finally softened.

“Master Yi, your accomplishments at such a young age are remarkable. Are you, perhaps, also a disciple of the Left Guardian?”

The Sword Demon answered in my place.

“No.”

“Forgive me for asking, but… is he someone you trust?”

The Sword Demon replied calmly.

“His actions are often rough, and his words lack manners, but regardless of age, I hold the intention behind his actions in high regard. Elder Heo, the Master of Haomun is not a bad man. Please don’t be wary. Say whatever you wish. I’ll listen with you.”

“Could you briefly summarize his past conduct?”

“As far as I know, he’s eliminated and absorbed much of the black factions in his hometown area.”

“Has there been any conflict with the Alliance or the Cult yet?”

“No.”

Only then did Elder Heo Gyeom turn to look at me again.

“Master Yi, are you a disciple of the Three Calamities, by chance?”

I shook my head.

“No, not at all.”

Elder Heo Gyeom said—

“Sometimes, I know so much that it confuses even me. Especially when I encounter something that defies understanding. I am one hundred and eleven years old this year. Master Yi, you are incredibly young, yet possess both extreme yang and extreme yin internal energy. Of course I was taken aback. In truth, that is the type of martial art the Cult Leader practices. For a moment, I wondered if he had secretly raised a disciple and sent him here. If you truly learned it on your own, then this old man sincerely pays you his respects.”

I nodded.

“I understand. That makes sense.”

Naturally, the Cult Leader, obsessed with obtaining the Heavenly Pearl, would have mastered a balanced cultivation of yin and yang. It was only natural for a long-standing Elder of the Cult to be shocked when examining me.

Elder Heo Gyeom asked me,

“I haven’t heard of this group called Haomun. Did you found it yourself?”

“Yes.”

“What is the purpose of the sect?”

“I formed it with the simple principle that people who work should be left alone.”

Elder Heo Gyeom laughed with a baffled expression.

“That’s certainly the most refreshing answer I’ve ever heard regarding a sect’s founding purpose.”

Gyoyeong asked,

“Elder, what makes it refreshing?”

Elder Heo Gyeom said,

“People who work are always subject to mistreatment. If your sect exists to protect them, then that essentially means you plan to spend your life fighting. I’ve heard of many sects rising and falling, but never one like this.”

I nodded.

“It’s not incorrect.”

Elder Heo Gyeom asked me,

“Is the combination of yin and yang progressing well?”

As soon as the topic of martial arts came up, I answered carefully.

“It’s not smooth, as I’m self-taught. And truthfully, I’m still only at the beginner level.”

“I see.”

Suddenly, Elder Heo Gyeom looked intently at the Mistress of Blood Night Palace.

“Mistress.”

“Yes?”

“Regarding the matter of subduing Saryugok… I hope you’ll actively assist the Master of Haomun. I apologize if I’m overstepping by saying this.”

The Mistress replied,

“Not at all. I will.”

“You truly will?”

“Yes.”

This time, Elder Heo Gyeom looked at me with a heavy gaze.

“Master Yi.”

“Yes?”

“This old man is very old. Whenever the time comes that I pass on, I ask that you help the Blood Night Palace.”

“…Excuse me?”

As soon as I answered, I looked around to see everyone else’s expressions. It didn’t seem like something prearranged—both the Sword Demon, Gyoyeong, and the Mistress looked genuinely surprised.

The Mistress of Blood Night Palace said,

“Elder, what are you saying? We’re not some village constables.”

“Yes, I know.”

Elder Heo Gyeom looked around and said,

“When I die, the Cult Leader will come to this palace. That’s what I’m referring to. It may sound strange, but that’s how it will be. It’s not like the Cult Leader fears me. Back when he was young, I once saved his life. That’s why he pretends not to see me and leaves me be. He wasn’t even the Cult Leader then. He is not the kind of man who cares for others or shows mercy, but when it comes to matters of life and death, he does understand debts and obligations. That’s why I’ve remained in the palace until now.”

Suddenly, Elder Heo Gyeom fixed me with a sharp gaze.

“This palace left the Cult, but after its independence, we haven’t killed any of the weak who cannot practice martial arts. You, Master Yi, are a man who protects the weak. Please help this palace with an open heart in the future. Not all who come from the Demonic Path are devils.”

Never before had a man without internal energy felt so intimidating.

His request was so unusual that I responded vaguely.

“If there’s ever something to help with…”

Heo Gyeom interrupted me.

“Master Yi.”

“Yes?”

“Unless someone reaches out, there will never be anyone who escapes the Demonic Path.”

An old man who’s lived one hundred and eleven years throwing a tantrum like that… left me bewildered.

“Elder, I do have one question…”

“Ask.”

I looked at Heo Gyeom and asked,

“How did you lose your internal energy?”

Heo Gyeom replied,

“There was a time when I believed myself to be strong and grew arrogant. I got in the way of a well-known man’s path… and ended up like this.”

“Who was it?”

“That man later became one of the Three Calamities.”

I flinched and glanced at the Sword Demon and the Mistress of Blood Night Palace. They showed no reaction, as if they already knew. Only then did I understand their cautious attitude toward this old man.

In any case, this elder was a man worthy of respect.

Few had ever crossed paths with one of the Three Calamities and survived.

A rare white-haired man’s man sat before me, his aged face looking into mine.

I was so impressed, I ended up speaking in my usual tone.

“Wow… Elder, you’re a real man’s man.”

“……”

The air turned cold.

Humans are doomed to repeat the same mistakes—and that, unfortunately, is a story about me.