The sound of the physician women hurrying about gradually faded, replaced by the steady rhythm of Murong Baek grinding medicinal herbs.

I sat cross-legged on the bed.

I could hear Hongshin snoring and Geum Hae letting out long breaths from time to time.

Though there were still some miscellaneous noises in the background, what I felt in Murong Baek’s clinic was a sense of calm.

‘Not bad.’

It wasn’t until I regressed that I realized the Poison Demon, Murong Baek, used to smile like that in his younger days.

Some people, like me, laugh even when they’re mad.

Others don’t smile at all, even as they slowly go insane.

They carve the very emotion of laughter out of their hearts.

That’s why, to my eyes, the young physician Murong Baek looked far happier than the Poison Demon version of himself.

With a faint smile on my lips, I began circulating my qi. The energy from the seven White Flame Grass roots had already been absorbed by the Heavenly Pearl.

As usual, I began converting the Heavenly Pearl’s energy into internal energy.

There was no need to rush.

Having experienced internal deviation multiple times, I knew my own body well.

Since impatience and restlessness often lead to deviation, I approached martial arts slowly and thoroughly—like a turtle wandering the world.

That’s why I didn’t meditate all night.

Instead, I focused for exactly one two-hour interval, then lay back down and stared at the ceiling.

Though lying down, I drifted into a light sleep, alert to the sounds around me like a guardian standing watch at Murong Baek’s clinic.

In the hazy space between memory and dream, I found myself staring at a staircase.

***

Early in the morning, Murong Baek wandered silently and found that I was already awake.

“You’re already up, Pavilion Lord?”

I nodded, and he said,

“I’ll bring the tonic shortly.”

Just seeing his face, I could tell Murong Baek hadn’t slept a wink.

He soon returned with a bowl of dark medicine.

A pitch-black concoction handed over by the Poison Demon…

Even as I reminded myself he wasn’t the Poison Demon yet, my knees twitched slightly.

Murong Baek, eyes as pure as a lamb’s, handed me the bitter concoction that looked like poison.

“Please drink, Pavilion Lord.”

Doctor, what on earth did you make this out of?

Suppressing the urge to ask, I downed the bowl. The way it slid smoothly down my throat told me it wasn’t poison.

“How do you feel?”

“Well, I suppose… my chest feels a little clearer, that’s all.”

“You mean it feels… open? May I take your pulse?”

When I extended my wrist, Murong Baek checked my pulse and tilted his head slightly.

“Have you had any difficulty accumulating internal energy?”

“Not particularly.”

Suddenly, Murong Baek pulled his hand back with a surprised look.

“There’s a… pulling force.”

“On your internal energy?”

“Yes.”

He rubbed his fingers and described the sensation.

“It feels like it’s being burned and absorbed.”

“That’s probably it.”

“Is that what happened to Geum Hae?”

I gave him a sly grin.

The man before me had already pieced /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ things together pretty well.

“So when you said he lost his internal energy, you meant it entered your energy center?”

“Exactly.”

“Did you acquire this ability through an ancient martial art? Or was it some kind of fortuitous encounter?”

“Let’s call it a fortuitous encounter.”

“In that case, until you’ve fully mastered this phenomenon as your own, I recommend refraining from absorbing others’ internal energy.”

“I was planning to do that anyway.”

“Where are you usually based, Pavilion Lord?”

“Somewhere around the Black Cat Gang or Ilyang County…”

“Even if you’re busy, please visit now and then.”

I told him plainly.

“Once I deal with the Great Rakshasa, I’ll come back with a lighter heart.”

Dealing with the Great Rakshasa meant I’d have control over most of the underworld in the southern Nanhwa region, including Ilyang County. Once that was done, Murong Baek wouldn’t have to worry about being ambushed out of nowhere again.

After treating Hongshin and Geum Hae through the morning and exchanging farewells, I boarded the carriage and looked back at Murong Baek one last time.

“Murong, get some sleep. Thank you for everything.”

He smiled and replied,

“Pavilion Lord, I wish you victory. Come anytime if you're feeling unwell.”

I left him with a final reminder.

“Be careful of martial artists, Doctor. If anything happens, I’ll come myself.”

“What could possibly happen to a physician? Still, thank you for the thought.”

As the carriage pulled away, I let out a faint sigh.

‘I’m at war right now just to make sure nothing happens to you, you idiot…’

***

Geum Hae’s complexion had improved since yesterday.

But sitting beside him was Hongshin, who had survived a bout of diarrhea, and directly in front of him—me.

Geum Hae, clearly on high alert for another slap, spoke cautiously.

“Brother Nok, may I return home now?”

I nodded.

“Home is nice.”

“Thank you.”

“No.”

“……”

This time, Hongshin clasped her hands together and put on an innocent face.

“Brother, you’ll give me the antidote, right?”

“I already did.”

“When?”

“Zihwa Gu Poison was just a laxative. The diarrhea? Murong handled that.”

I looked at Hongshin’s blank stare and added,

“Sister, maybe fix that expression?”

Hongshin gave me a bright smile. But to my eyes, it looked like her eyes were blazing with fire behind that smile.

“Hongshin, Geum Hae.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

“It’s funny, isn’t it? A guy you barely know suddenly calling you ‘sister’ and ‘brother’?”

“Not at all.”

“Not funny.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Well, what about your real master? In life, there’s nothing more precious than the ties we make. If the two of you want to side with the Great Rakshasa and oppose me, say the word—I’ll stop the carriage right now. Your poison’s cured, your internal injuries are mostly treated. It won’t be a big deal to part ways here.”

“Mm.”

“I’m not getting off, though?”

“I’m not especially attached to either of you yet. If I see you next to the Great Rakshasa, I think I could beat you to death on the spot without batting an eye. So go live however you want. Like I do.”

Hongshin and Geum Hae stared at me in silence.

I added one more thing.

“You’re not my slaves. And you’re not the Great Rakshasa’s either. So live like it.”

Geum Hae opened his mouth.

“Brother, if I betray the Great Rakshasa, my family could be wiped out. Could you tell me how strong you are, and how much influence you have? This isn’t just about my life…”

Murong Baek’s words suddenly came to mind.

That a certain disciple, who was once one of the Twelve Divine Generals, went on to live a quiet life after the Great Rakshasa died. Maybe that disciple was Geum Hae.

Considering he’s a young master from a wealthy family, it’s entirely possible.

In that case, he was treated by the very man who killed him in his past life.

My lips curled into a smile.

‘Life is funny like that…’

“Must be the merchant in you talking. You want to do a power comparison and calculate the risk, is that it?”

Geum Hae lowered his head slightly.

“Apologies. It’s just… this really isn’t just about me.”

In the martial world, power comparisons are a hollow way to calculate anything. Fights don’t end based on those kinds of numbers.

So I explained it my way.

“Let’s imagine I lose. The Great Rakshasa still has plenty of disciples. So of course, I’d be outmatched. Now imagine this—what if I lost because Hongshin and Geum Hae weren’t by my side? If the two of you rejoined him, and I lost by just that much… would you be satisfied with that outcome?”

The two didn’t respond for a moment.

“Still getting ordered to steal, bring money… I noticed Murong’s clinic had some stunning physician women. If the Great Rakshasa lays eyes on them, Murong might have to hand them over. That’s the kind of man he is. If you go back, you’ll just be slaves until he dies.”

I shook my head.

“The real question isn’t about strength. Even if I’m weak, the question is—will you live as slaves? Or not? That’s what matters.”

Soon after, the carriage stopped, and the driver called out.

“We’ve arrived at the Black Cat Gang.”

I turned to Geum Hae, who had followed me all this way.

“Geum Hae, you were born rich and raised without lacking anything. You’re probably proud of your family name—but look at the situation. Is that money really yours? Your whole family’s just the Great Rakshasa’s personal vault. If you were truly rich, wouldn’t it be more important to decide how to use money, rather than just hoarding it?”

Geum Hae dodged the question and replied,

“Brother… I’m sorry, but could I have one more meal?”

I turned to Hongshin.

“You?”

She blinked in confusion.

“Me? A meal? I am hungry, but—”

Geum Hae jabbed her in the side with his elbow.

“He’s asking if you’re going to side with the Great Rakshasa.”

Unlike Geum Hae, Hongshin was straightforward and to the point.

“I’m on Brother’s side, no matter what.”

This time, Geum Hae asked the question instead of me.

“Why?”

Hongshin answered,

“He brought me to the bathroom. Took me to a physician. Fed me pork bone stew. Sure, he poisoned me, but it was just a laxative. If the Great Rakshasa had poisoned me, it would’ve been real, and I’d be dead. I wouldn’t have made it to a toilet, I would’ve shat myself in a bush. Just the thought is horrifying, so I’m sticking with Brother.”

Once again, I’ve won a lady’s heart… with diarrhea medicine.

“Let’s go eat.”

We got off the carriage, driver included, and entered the Black Cat Gang. As we stepped through the wide-open gate, I could see my subordinates mid-training.

When I entered with my mask off, So Gunpyeong stepped forward and cupped his fist.

“Greetings, Pavilion Lord.”

The rest of the subordinates greeted me, holding painful stances.

“Greetings, Pavilion Lord!”

Flanked by Hongshin and Geum Hae, I nodded and made my way into the inner courtyard.

All the while, Geum Hae kept glancing around, puzzled by the people addressing me as Pavilion Lord. He finally stopped walking and asked,

“Brother Nok… are you Brother Myo? Or… is the servant Brother Myo? Are you Brother Nok? Was the Pavilion Lord a servant?”

I turned and stared at him.

“Look at that. Here comes internal deviation again. Hongshin.”

“Yes.”

Hongshin, perfectly attuned, smacked the confused Geum Hae across the face.

“Snap out of it.”

Clutching his cheek, Geum Hae came stumbling back from the edge of hell. Between yesterday and today, how many times had that face been slapped?

I clicked my tongue.

“Aigoo, this rich young master… what the hell are we supposed to do with him?”

To the ones freed from diarrhea and resurrected by slaps, I said,

“Let’s eat.”

Surviving in the martial world is no easy task.