---

**

The outcome was predictable.

The tactics of Black Danhwa crumbled with a single strike. Ju Ryeongryeong’s Bone Spirit Technique was thwarted and sent flying with just one move.

What followed was nothing short of a thorough beatdown.

The deadly sword returned to its sheath, but not without having the sheath smack their behinds.

“How dare you waltz into my territory with your head held high?”

“Ah! Ah! S-stop!”

“W-wait! I-I got hit! It hurt!”

In front of those battered individuals, Ilma turned to me.

The sharpness in her voice seemed to vanish after she had gotten her fill of beating them.

“I’ll do you this favor since you asked. The Pursuit Spirit Pavilion needs a bit of fame… If it’s attached to the name Seob Honyohee, it should carry some weight.”

“Thank you, Ilma-nim.”

“Consider it a reward for following along. But first…”

Ilma squatted down in front of the sprawled-out figures.

“What did you say your name was?”

“Ju, Ju Ryeongryeong…”

The honorific slipped out naturally, and Ilma pressed her sword tip to her cheek.

“So you’re one of those who relies solely on the Bone Spirit Technique. You’ve got no fundamentals.”

“I-I didn’t want to learn it…”

“Whether you wanted to or not, you’re trying to make a living off of it now. And how dare you talk back to me?”

—Smack!

Ju Ryeongryeong, struck on the bum, let out a silent scream. Shuddering, she collapsed back down.

Ilma walked away, hands behind her back. The frozen Black Danhwa swallowed hard.

“That technique wasn’t bad. Still, it wouldn’t qualify as a skill.”

“Th-thank you…!”

“But your actual combat ability is lacking, so you can’t rely on it alone. Haven’t you learned other martial arts?”

“My dantian is broken…”

“But you seem to be holding up fine?”

“I-I just patched it up recently!”

“Well, that’s good. You and Ju Ryeongryeong will work as a pair. You should be able to complement each other decently.”

“So, what about Jeok-un…?”

Ilma’s mood turned icy.

“Did you even mention his name in front of the kids?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Honestly, what a troublemaker…”

Her slap stretched across her cheek. That was the end of it.

But as she surveyed the rest, Ilma’s voice took a chilling turn.

“Forget what you heard. This one has no name. If you make a fuss about it, I’ll rip your mouths apart. Sma’s disciple. The same goes for you.”

“I-I’ll be careful.”

“Good. Then I’ll keep an eye on them separately… Is there anything left to take care of?”

“Y-yes!”

“N-not anymore!”

Ilma gave my back a light shove.

“Go and play.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll let you off the hook today. Sometimes, you need to take a break. And you two.”

“Y-yes?”

“Do you have something else to say…?”

“Send them off before night falls.”

Ilma cut off the conversation sharply.

“If it drags into the night, I’ll kill both of you.”

“Eek!”

Ilma disappeared with Ju Ryeongryeong and Black Danhwa.

Eun Seol-ran and Baekmae rushed over to me.

“The real Blood Sea Master is something else… Our teacher isn’t like that at all… Ugh… I thought I was going to die from fear…”

“M-my teacher looked like a puppy compared to her. What kind of moves were those? N-no wonder she’s Ilma, huh?! Honestly, I didn’t see a thing!”

“Of course not. Just how incredible is she?”

Pride in my teacher became my own pride.

I tried to hide my joy as I looked at both of them.

“But… why are you here? Seol-ran-senpai?”

“Master Sma told me to prepare for your departure.”

Eun Seol-ran looked up at me.

“Are you really going to leave without saying goodbye?”

“I’m the same. It’s been a while since the event ended. The master has already gone back to his territory. I had to come now, as we can’t delay any longer.”

Both of them are leaving.

It was a bit disappointing. But it couldn’t be helped.

I was also in a position to leave.

“Seol-ran-senpai. Baekmae. I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

“Well… I’m going to be gone for a while too. Maybe for a few years…”

“What?! Why?!”

“W-what mission is it?”

“I think it’ll be a long story, so let’s move somewhere else. I also need to wash up a bit.”

Taking my outer clothes, I headed down to my room.

After inviting them in, I served the food brought by my personal maid, Chu Wol.

“Thank you, Chu Soja. For helping…”

“It’s my job! Hehe.”

I explained the general situation to Baekmae and Eun Seol-ran. Of course, I didn’t tell them everything.

I only mentioned the orders given by the Heavenly Demon and that I had to leave for the Martial Alliance.

Baekmae’s expression faltered. Eun Seol-ran sighed.

“How many years will it take…?”

“The Martial Alliance is quite far, right? Just what…?”

“I can’t say exactly how long it will take. But I plan to come back as soon as possible.”

“Then what about after this mission? Will there be another occasion to go to the Martial Alliance?”

“I can’t guarantee that… but probably not. The Master said he wants to keep me by his side. More importantly, by the time I return, the Master might drop his position. I’m following the Master, not the sect leader. So, this should be the last time I go to the Martial Alliance.”

“…Then that’s a relief. But still, a few years… The travel time alone will take a while…”

Baekmae sighed. Trying to collect herself, she slapped her cheeks before lifting her head.

“But… by then I should be affiliated with the Blood Sea. Don’t come back too late. Or are you going to come looking for me?”

“I’ll come back as fast as I can.”

“I figured you’d have a special mission, but the Martial Alliance… Sigh… I told you to come under me.”

“That’s not something that just happens, Seol-ran-senpai.”

“That’s true.”

Eun Seol-ran nodded.

“Okay. I’ve decided. When I become the next Black Death Leader, I’ll bring you under me.”

“W-what are you saying?!”

“It’ll be safer, right? If you come under me, I won’t make you do anything too extreme. You can just have fun. So… get through this mission safely, okay? Do others know?”

“Besides the Master who gave the order and Ilma-nim, you’re the first to hear about it.”

“That’s good to know.”

“Yeah, definitely good.”

Baekmae and Eun Seol-ran reached out to me.

“Be careful and come back. I’ll be waiting.”

“I’ll be the same. Just like last time, don’t overdo it… Just focus on your mission and come back safely.”

“Yes.”

The farewell itself was calm. Maybe it’s because I took the reunion for granted.

Baekmae and Eun Seol-ran returned to where they belonged. As night fell, I shared my thoughts with Ju Ryeongryeong and Black Danhwa, who had received rooms at Ilma’s mansion.

Both of their faces stiffened.

“If it’s the order of the Master, there’s no choice, but…”

“But… um… how can we find a way to follow…?”

I shook my head at their futile thoughts. She would never allow it, and I didn’t want them to take on unnecessary risks.

Instead, I made a request.

“Ilma-nim is softer than you think.”

“Are you blind?”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“…I would appreciate it if you both could fill the void I leave behind.”

“…Ugh… If you put it that way…”

“I can’t help it. Since it’s the Master’s order, we have no place to interfere.”

Ju Ryeongryeong and Black Danhwa sighed. Ultimately, they nodded.

“Come back quickly.”

“Come back soon.”

“Yes.”

The order from the Heavenly Demon was given. The command to prepare for departure.

Before that, I sought out Black Wind. After all, he was a comrade, and I wanted to say goodbye.

“Are you leaving? Mu Gongja? You seem quite busy. Well… I’m the same.”

“Full Moon seems to be busy too.”

“Isn’t that obvious? But you know, while we’re alive, we’ll meet again. The token I gave you is really valuable, so don’t sell it elsewhere, okay?”

“Of course. I’ll treasure it.”

“A warrior like you is rare. Don’t die, Mu Gongja.”

“I wish you success in whatever you’re doing, Black Gongja.”

Next, I went to find Huachun Quenma and Yeon Mi-ryeong. They were also preparing to leave for the location of the Nacchal Sect.

“You’re saying you won’t see us for a while? Even if the Master comes looking for you?”

“Yes. It’s for a mission.”

“That’s unfortunate. Tsk. I was planning to visit Ilma soon.”

“Big brother, are you going far?”

“That’s right, Mi-ryeong.”

“Is it a dangerous job…?”

“It’s not overly dangerous.”

“That’s a relief.”

Yeon Mi-ryeong grabbed my hand.

“I’ll definitely repay the kindness I received later.”

“I survived because of you, so there’s no need for repayment.”

“Still… I’ll repay you. In whichever way possible. I’ll come find you later.”

Next, I went to meet the Leader of the Wima Sect.

“You’re leaving far away?”

“Yes, Senpai.”

“You seem busy. Is it Ilma’s order?”

“It’s the Master’s order.”

“I see?”

The Leader of the Wima Sect caressed my face.

“When you return, make sure to send me a letter. I’ll come to see you.”

“That might be too much…”

“It’s my desire.”

After parting with the Leader of the Wima Sect, I met with Smaak, who had sent someone not long ago.

He tilted his head slightly.

“You certainly came quickly.”

“I was busy, hyung.”

“Seriously… Tsk. Are you off to some other place again?”

“Yes.”

As Smaak entered the room, he came out holding something.

A neatly folded red cloak. The black outer layer was long enough to block out just about any dust.

Smaak threw it to me.

“I picked this up on the way.”

“What is this…?”

“It’s the cape made from the scales of the Iron Armored Serpent. It doesn’t really have a name. It’s tougher than any ordinary sword. Apparently, over time, it mends itself if it gets torn.”

“That sounds more like a magical item, doesn’t it?”

“Magical item? Please. I just picked it up carelessly from the market. Wear it.”

I stroked the black cape. It had no flaws from the very start.

It was probably an item that could not be bought with money.

I draped the cape over my shoulders. Its fit felt as if it was tailor-made for me, and I loved it.

“Thank you, hyung.”

“What’s with the thanks? I have plenty of money. A lot more than you do.”

Smaak nodded at me.

“Come anytime. The brat. I’ll ensure you eat well.”

“…Thank you, hyung.”

The last ones I met were Yeon Guang and Seo Cho-hee.

“Hyung… It feels like we won’t see each other for a long time… Sniff…!”

“Are you really coming back, though?”

“Of course. I’ll return. Take care.”

“Hyung! I’ll work hard until the day I can help you!”

“I’ll become a martial artist worthy of you, Senpai! Really!”

“…You both could afford to ease up a bit.”

“Hyung!!”

“Senpai!!”

“Just do as you like.”

After meeting everyone with whom I had deep connections, I headed towards Ilma.

She looked at me with a slightly stiff expression.

“Let’s go.”

There was only one message. It was time for everything to really begin.

As always, my maid waited for me with a blank expression. I followed her back, blending in naturally.

My feet felt heavy.

But I didn’t tremble, for I was prepared.

 

---