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**

Smaak hadn’t changed much since the last time I saw him. If anything, the shadows under his eyes had grown darker.

Worried, I asked.

“Are you getting any rest?”

“I can’t afford to rest, so I’m not. What have you been doing?”

“Oh, just this and that…”

“Well, you’re still running around busily, aren’t you? But it doesn’t seem like you’re the Blood Demon Champion you used to be…”

Smaak gestured with his chin towards Baekmae.

“Are you not traveling with that girl anymore?”

“That girl?! Excuse me?!”

“I ended up separating from Baekmae. I have some matters to handle… I have my own tasks to fulfill now.”

“Task? What task?”

“I have to leave the main school for a while.”

“…Outside mission? Where to?”

“Not the right place to talk about that…”

“I’ll arrange a separate meeting. I’ll send a letter later.”

“Understood.”

“Anyway… if you have anything, consult with me. I’ve grown into a pretty good older brother. The family’s gotten better. We’ve restored everything that was neglected. We’re different from the Sma Clan of old.”

“Has the head changed?”

“Just get rid of that girl.”

“Aw, come on!”

“Your younger brother is a good one. Don’t scold him too harshly.”

“Oh, brother…”

“Stop pretending to be weak. You could eat a bear for breakfast.”

“Get lost!”

“It should be you that gets lost.”

Smaak stroked his chin.

“I’ll just ask one thing. Are you going for a short trip or far?”

“It seems like I’ll go far.”

“Sounds like there’s a lot to prepare… I guess I should return early today. Hey, you white-head.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?! Are you crazy?!”

“If you plan on leaving in a hurry, hold on tight. I’ll prepare my stuff, so don’t leave until I come find you. Try to delay as much as possible.”

“What are you planning…”

“I’ll manage. Anyway… you’re quite the troublesome one.”

Muttering, Smaak waved and left. It was typical of him to casually disappear in the middle of the banquet.

Baekmae turned to me sharply.

“What’s this mission about?”

“I’ll tell you later. Come find me, okay?”

“…I’ll come at night.”

“Daytime works too, you know?”

“But there’s that saying, ‘A bird listens to daytime talk,’ right?”

“Then a mouse listens to night talk…”

“I can just take care of the mice, you know?!”

“……?”

“Anyway, I’m busy too, so I can’t wait any longer. Look over there. That cursed master is threatening me with his eyes. He’s here to learn right now.”

Myo Ye-rin was glaring at us from a distance. I leaned closer and whispered in her ear.

“Do your best. I’m rooting for you.”

“…W-well… since it’s what I’ve been doing… but if you say that, I guess I have to put in more effort… see you later!”

Baekmae walked off. Suddenly, someone grabbed my shoulder.

“What were you talking about?”

“Huh? Don’t tell me… you’re the…”

“Ju Ryeongryeong.”

“Mu Myung?”

The duo, who were now practically inseparable, had a surprisingly good chemistry.

It felt like Black Danhwa was gently taking care of the somewhat clumsy Ju Ryeongryeong.

“Danhwa. Ryeong.”

“You seem to know the head of the Sma Clan.”

“Did you recognize me?”

“I could tell just by paying a little attention to the chatter around me.”

Black Danhwa grinned.

“How does it feel to have beautiful ladies flocking around you, unknown warrior?”

“…Don’t tease me.”

“It’s just no good being a hero…”

Ju Ryeongryeong was munching noisily, her mouth stuffed with food.

Black Danhwa sighed.

“Swallow your food before talking, will you?”

“Nom… why are you making a big deal out of this…”

Without missing a beat, Black Danhwa took out a handkerchief and wiped the crumbs from Ju Ryeongryeong’s mouth. After munching a lot, Ju Ryeongryeong instinctively stuck out her mouth for it.

After swallowing, she whispered to me.

“You know, Black Danhwa feels like an older sister.”

“Danhwa is naturally kind.”

“I can hear you, Yu Ryeongryeong.”

“That’s a compliment. You’re tangled up as always.”

“Tangled? If I did well, I wouldn’t have to bother. I take care of her since it’s not satisfying to my eyes.”

“But you don’t take care of Black Wind?”

“Why would I take care of that jerk?”

Black Danhwa glanced at me and fanned herself to cover her chin.

“One guy friend is enough.”

“Mu Myung. Other forms are fine too, right?”

“Huh?”

“Actually, that’s even more…”

“We agreed not to cross boundaries. Do you want to die?”

“W-was that really said?”

“Seeing you act coy makes me want to pull my hair out. Let’s go, Mu Myung. You have a lot of people to meet.”

Black Danhwa whispered as she passed by.

“I’ll come find you tonight. Seems like there are some things we haven’t talked about.”

“Huh? Wait, what…”

Black Danhwa walked away. Ju Ryeongryeong turned towards me with a plate full of food.

“What did she say?”

“Well…”

“Oh. Never mind. I can just ask later. Are you free tonight?”

“Huh?”

“I’ll see you at night. Mu Myung. I know where you live, so I’ll come find you. We can meet alone.”

“Wait…”

Ju Ryeongryeong slipped away. A strange sense of unease washed over me momentarily.

It’s going to be just three of us tonight…

I guess I can explain later… maybe?

I moved on and spotted a familiar face, peeking out slightly.

“It’s been a while, elder.”

“Hmm…? That bodyguard of the master we saw earlier… but this voice… from somewhere…”

The Soul Stealing Sword, No Ha-cheon, stared at me intensely before breaking into a smile.

“It’s you, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Ha-ha! Who would’ve thought it was you! You’ve become quite the figure! Did you quit the Blood Demon Champion?”

“I’m currently acting on a special mission.”

“I figured you’d rise in rank. It’s good to see you again, feeling all pumped up. Now, where did that guy go? Jin Myung! Jin…”

In the distance, I saw the Blood Demon’s disciple, Guk Jin Myung, clinging to Baekmae.

He seemed to be saying something, but the next moment, I could see the veins popping on Baekmae’s forehead. Her tone was sharp and defensive.

He seemed to have been rejected… but judging by Guk Jin Myung’s expression, it looked like it was a very serious rejection.

Still, he stubbornly followed Baekmae. It was somewhat pitiful to watch.

“Looks like he’s in the middle of a romantic pursuit. I shouldn’t interfere… you should be on guard.”

“Huh?”

“You’re leaving such a beautiful one alone? What if my disciple takes her from you?”

“Baekmae is like a little sister to me…”

“You’re really quite dense, aren’t you? Alright, let me feel your body a bit. What’s your cultivation level…?”

The expression on No Ha-cheon’s face stiffened.

“Just asking, but… where do you stand?”

“Right before entering the realm.”

“Flower Realm?! What the hell?! You’re stronger than me now?! So I was blind and couldn’t recognize a talent like you… what about the sword you wield?”

“Still using the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword…”

“Hey! Come under me! Wait, can’t say that anymore? But still, this Soul Stealing Sword will be genuinely useful for you. Even though my realm is lower, there’s so much you could learn… how about reconsidering? Did you miraculously find a master in the meantime?”

“Not really…”

“Hey, come on! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I may be weaker than you now, but the Soul Stealing Sword is a legacy from the ancient arts. I haven’t even mastered all its depths! So… oh snap! It’s better to hear from someone else. Just wait here!”

No Ha-cheon disappeared and reappeared.

He brought someone I recognized.

“Na So-wan! You tell him! Do you know this person? Hak Su Gwi! The famous leader of the Fokma Clan! Since you belong to the Ma Clan, you can speak neutrally! Come on! Talk!”

“What am I supposed to say, dragging me here like this?”

“Oh come on, haven’t we known each other long enough? Just speak your mind. What do you think of Soul Stealing Sword?”

“This guy is a bit light for his age, but regarding the depth of Soul Stealing Sword, it’s quite heavy.”

Hak Su Gwi stared at me intently.

“So this is the one you’re planning to take as your disciple?”

“Yeah! But hey… didn’t he get stronger than me? Still, there’s so much I can teach him about the Soul Stealing Sword! You tell him too, okay?”

“Leader of the Fokma Clan. Long time no see.”

“…Huh? Wait a minute, this voice… are you… that guy?”

“That’s right.”

“What?! You two know each other?”

Na So-wan chuckled, and No Ha-cheon sneaked a jab at his arm.

“Sorry, but let’s keep that story under wraps.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“This kid is about to become my disciple.”

“…What?”

Na So-wan pulled me closer.

“I’ve already had my eye on this one. Didn’t you already have a disciple? Just be satisfied with that one.”

“W-what… What kind of nonsense is this?!”

“I’d prefer if you’d make way.”

“Make way, what!? Just because you’re a few steps ahead doesn’t mean I’ll just stand by! He’s my disciple!”

“The martial arts I possess will fit well with this one. I have a martial art that combines medical arts and divine law, so it would suit him better than the Soul Stealing Sword.”

“Better suited than the Soul Stealing Sword?! What kind of stupid talk is that! The Soul Stealing Sword is so…!”

“You two are quite noisy.”

A voice that sounded like a fuse getting lit interrupted. Huachun Quenma said dully.

“Looks like you’re still shy about being alive, No Ha-cheon. Na So-wan.”

“…Gun Ho-kwang.”

“What’s a guy like you doing here, having left your sect and the Ma Clan?”

“Didn’t you hear? I put on quite the show in Eungmin and took out some remnants of the Blood Sect while you were doing absolutely nothing.”

“You’re still as unpleasant as ever.”

“Hey now, let’s not be like that. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, so there’s no need to get heated.”

“Well, as long as that brat doesn’t pick a fight, I’m fine.”

Huachun Quenma sniffed.

He leaned in closer, lowering his voice.

“Mu Myung? What are you doing here?”

“Elder.”

“Do you know this brat?”

“He’s a disciple of mine.”

“Stop the nonsense. He doesn’t show that savage fierceness your famous explosive martial arts possesses.”

“If I say he’s my disciple, then he’s my disciple, you brat!”

“…It’s time to bring back those old memories, isn’t it?”

“Ha! Come at me, you brat!”

“Both of you stop! The sword that suits him best is definitely the Soul Stealing Sword!”

“Enough with that half-baked talk. No Ha-cheon, you’re still a nice guy to me, but cross the line, and it’s over.”

“What line? Look at that disposition! A body that can fight long! A mind that won’t break! It’s practically an ideal candidate for the Soul Stealing Sword!”

“No Ha-cheon, you’ve gone blind in your greed. The qualities of leading the inadequate ones I saw in Fengma Cave, and giving voice to the injustices, are far more suited to Hak Su Gwi’s martial arts.”

“Shut your mouth! That determination he has! The fiery heart that follows it is most suited for Huachun’s explosive martial arts!”

Someone tugged at my sleeve.

I turned around to see Geum Seoryeon looking up at me.

“Disciple. What are you doing here?”

“Aah?! Nine Heavens Jade Woman?!”

“…Why is the leader of the Wima Sect here?”

“What a crazy girl! Are you causing chaos again?”

“From what I can see, it seems like they’re arguing over whose disciple I am.”

Nine Heavens Jade Woman stated decisively.

“This guy is mine. All of you, get lost.”

“Even if you’re the Nine Heavens Jade Woman, isn’t this a bit too selfish?!”

“It doesn’t seem like you’ve even inherited his martial arts, Leader of the Wima Sect.”

“This crazy girl! Are we really going to fight right here?!”

“Is there anything wrong with claiming what’s mine?”

Amidst the bloody stand-off, people’s attention was drawn. I stood at the center, caught in a tide I couldn’t resist.

Ahh. I want to get out of here. But I couldn’t see a way out.

“Everyone, just calm down…”

“Shut up!”

“I’m in the middle of something.”

“Look at me! Mu Myung! I’ll show you the power of Huachun’s explosive martial arts!”

“Don’t climb up there.”

Within the boiling energy, I heard a barely audible laugh. It was so faint I could hardly perceive it, yet it was clear enough for me.

I turned my head slightly. I locked eyes with the Heavenly Demon, who was standing high above and looking down at everything.

She was laughing.

Holding her stomach and chuckling.

“…….”

She didn’t look like she had any intention of helping; it seemed like she was pushing me from behind with her laughter.

I had no clue how to resolve this situation.

But then, like lightning, a sharp pressure pierced through the entire banquet hall.

“Ugh?!”

“What…!”

“This is…?!”

“…….”

The surroundings fell silent. The sharp pressure silenced even the masters in the Flower Realm and cut off every conversation in the banquet hall.

A bizarre calm enveloped us. In that stillness, a voice could be heard.

“This is the banquet hall currently being watched by the master.”

A familiar voice echoed.

“Don’t act recklessly.”

I turned my head. I met the gaze of a woman wearing the same mask as mine.

“Ilma…!”

The tension that had frozen for a moment suddenly loosened. Ilma, who had come quickly through the crowd, stood right in front of me.

“What’s all this ruckus?”

As she asked, her hand reached out to grab my sleeve tightly.

 

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