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**

I firmly pinched Sua’s nose.

“If you’re joking, you can’t use it.”

“Hehehe.”

Next, I pushed away the four that came rushing in noisily.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, but I’m not a married man.”

“What kind of nonsense is that…?!”

“But you said she’s your daughter?!”

“That’s correct. But she’s not my biological daughter.”

The four paused for a moment.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Not a biological daughter?”

“Then… does that mean she’s some kind of disguise?”

“It’s definitely not a disguise.”

I hugged Sua tightly.

“She really is my daughter.”

“Make it clear!”

“I adopted her.”

The four blinked in surprise. Sua rubbed her face against my cheek.

“But she’s really my daughter. Right… Daddy?”

“Of course.”

“Hehe.”

The four stared at each other, bewildered, then staggered while patting their chests.

Eun Seol-ran asked with a frown.

“No, what… let’s hear the story first. What the heck happened?”

“Let’s move to a different place first. It seems we have a lot to discuss.”

…

We found a suitable room. Sua’s eyes sparkled when she saw the four of them throw off their disguises.

“…Daddy is close with pretty ladies.”

“…Th-thank you?”

“Too embarrassed for no reason.”

“You certainly have an eye for it.”

“…Ahem.”

I explained what had happened, why I adopted Sua, and all that had transpired.

After I finished explaining everything, the four looked at me with understanding expressions. Simultaneously, they whispered to each other—

“He’s really the one suited for this path.”

“So, that means he hasn’t been married?”

“Yeah, they’re quite far from the word promiscuous.”

“I-I knew it from the start, you know?”

“Who was it that came running almost in tears?”

“Q-quiet down, please?!”

With the atmosphere relaxing, I pushed Sua to the front. She hopped out and took a demure bow.

“My name is Sua. Nice to meet you! If I do anything rude, please let me know, and I’ll fix it right away!”

“…She’s really adorable.”

“Hey, do you want to try, big sis? Come on, big sis~!”

“What a smart child. Hmm… I don’t really like kids, but if they’re like her, it’s fine.”

“She’s quite polite.”

Sua tugged at my clothing. Understanding her meaning, I nodded.

I pointed to Eun Seol-ran first.

“This is my senior. A person who has helped me considerably. Kind and gentle. Reliable.”

“Eun Seol-ran. You can call me big sis.”

“Yes! Big sis!”

“…If I had a little sister, I imagine she would feel just like this…”

The remaining three whispered among themselves at the back.

“Helped him out… feels a bit distant, doesn’t it?”

“That’s right, isn’t it? A benefactor is just that.”

“What a distant introduction.”

“Can you be quiet?”

I pointed at Ju Ryeongryeong.

“A reliable companion. We’re friends.”

“Ju Ryeongryeong! Um, do you want to call me big sis?”

“Big sis!”

“…I think I’ll just raise her myself. Okay?”

The remaining three whispered behind again.

“Apologies to Ryeongryeong, but… friends are just friends, you know? It’s usually the hardest to narrow the distance in a friendship.”

“That’s what I meant. Confess your feelings, and then you’ll be left crying while turning away.”

“Oh, you all are pretty sharp.”

“Hey.”

I pointed at Black Danhwa.

“She taught me a method when I was having a hard time.”

“Black Danhwa.”

“Nice to meet you. Big sis.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

The remaining three murmured behind.

“A teacher who taught him a method… didn’t even add a title. Doesn’t that imply they’re not even friends?”

“The introduction to Danhwa is quite lacking, isn’t it?”

“Sounds like it’s just an acquaintance level. As expected of the older brother. You have a keen eye.”

“…Excuse me?”

Finally, I pointed at Baekmae.

“This one is a cherished younger sister.”

“Oh, cherished… Hehe… This is Baekmae!”

“Nice to meet you! Big sister!”

“Yeah. Nice to meet you too.”

The others at the back murmured.

“When it comes to younger sisters, there’s no need to say more. Tsk, tsk. Oh dear, I can’t even curse.”

“Poor Baekmae… It’s the most ambiguous relationship. Being a younger sister is like crossing an unmarked boundary…”

“The game is already over. I’ll just suck my thumb and cry at home…”

“Why do I have to be hit the hardest?!”

Amidst the bickering, Sua beamed.

“Nice to meet you!”

Once the greetings wrapped up, the remaining party came too. Naturally, their introductions filled with disguises.

It seemed the four were determined to dominate from the start, showing no signs of holding back. Everyone who met their eyes flinched.

“W-what…?!”

“W-who are these people?!”

“They’re my acquaintances. They said they would participate in the Martial Alliance Support Warrior Group.”

“W-what’s with that pressure…?!”

Gu Hwa-rin took a small step back. Well, from her perspective, it was a natural reaction.

Not just Eun Seol-ran and Ju Ryeongryeong. Black Danhwa also revealed her power as if she had learned quite a bit in that time.

Did she completely fix her dantian? Baekmae was no exception either. I could see her flaunting her energy towards me.

A heavy presence. It emanated without a doubt from the realm of Huaxing.

“Did you surpass it?”

“Yeah! How about it?”

I glanced at her hand. Even after reaching the realm of Huaxing and going through a transformation…

Her hands appeared rough. That only meant she’s grasped a sword many times.

Even if she has talent, she wouldn’t have reached that level without hard work. No matter how distinguished a master Baekmae had, it’s evident that she had to strive to reach that realm.

I raised my hand and gently stroked her flowing white hair.

“Well done.”

“W-who do you think you’re petting?”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“…You didn’t say not to, did you…?”

When I attempted to pet her again, I was immediately stopped.

“I’m also in the realm of Huaxing, you know?”

“Well, I’m still here.”

“I already surpassed it long ago.”

I glanced at the three lined up, giving them a skeptical look. Sua had sneaked to the end of the line.

“I’m going to become one too soon!”

Gu Hwa-rin also eyed the situation and subtly stood at the very back of the line.

“I… me too…”

Su-ryeon smiled brightly.

“If my little sister is standing there, it would be odd if I didn’t join.”

“Call me by name! I’m not just a little sister!”

…Was there honey on my hand?

I swiftly patted the heads of everyone in line. Narin and Gwangyang were impressed.

“Indeed, Master… You’re no joke.”

“No, what… are you the strongest even at night…?”

“Enough of the nonsense.”

With everyone assembled, I quickly handed over the list to the Martial Alliance Leader.

“Hmm… has the number of people been prepared?”

He barely glanced over the roster and just swiped through it as he tossed it aside. His voice was hearty enough to sound encouraging, but his demeanor felt like he was addressing a dead person.

“I wish you luck. The leader of the Martial Alliance Support Warriors. Your shoulders carry the future of the Cheonryong Association.”

“…I will do my best.”

I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of the military officer’s face. Giving us two carriages was all he did.

After we finished preparing for our journey, we stood in front of the carriages. The reins were held by Bai Hyun. The other one was held by Gwangyang.

“I’ll take care of it! Brother! Please trust me!”

“I’ve briefly driven before. I’ll take care of the other one. Master.”

“It’s better to take turns…”

“That’s fine!”

“Leave it to me. If it gets tough, I’ll just switch with big sis.”

“I’ve never driven before.”

“Learn from the side.”

“Why are you climbing all over me lately?!”

While I let the two bicker, I took hold of one of the reins.

“Just relax. I’ll handle one.”

“Eh?! W-well, still…”

“It’s fine.”

I was familiar with driving horses. I had done it before, plus I had learned from Ilma directly under his guidance.

Once I took hold of one of the carriages, the group slowly gathered around me.

“C-can you move aside? I want to ride here.”

“N-no, I think I should ride here?!”

I looked back at the squabbling group and sighed.

“We’re not going on a picnic.”

Sua jumped into my arms.

“I want to sit here, Daddy.”

“I’d prefer the back…”

“Teach me how to drive!”

“…Fine.”

The carriage began to move.

Towards the Cheonryong Association.

…

Black Danhwa yawned lightly, stretching before lazily leaning back in the carriage.

The carriage itself was nice. The seating was upholstered with fabric, making it cushy, and there were no particular flaws anywhere else.

Could it be Gwangyang’s driving? The carriage barely shook. The slight movements were almost like a cradle.

Sleepiness was creeping in. But she didn’t fall asleep. There was a reason she deliberately sat apart from Jeok-un.

Scouting new enemies was incredibly important in the competition of love.

“Was it Gu Hwa-rin…?”

“Yes?”

The moment our eyes met, she nodded slightly, avoiding my gaze.

Her face is pretty. Yet, there’s a slight sense of otherness. A beauty rarely seen in the Central Plains.

Could she be a colored beauty…?

I casually turned my head. I made eye contact with Su-ryeon.

Though young, her eyes were mature. They seemed to have seen many things. She only appears young outwardly…

I couldn’t let my guard down.

“You just came out from the shadow of Jeok-un, right…?”

“It’s my favorite place.”

She also seemed to have a blank expression, hiding her true feelings. Next to Jeok-un, she surely wore a playful smile befitting her age, but that wasn’t the case now.

It felt like she had put on a mask. Sitting next to her was a guy named Il-ho, his face half-covered by cloth, making him impossible to read.

Nevertheless, one thing was certain. She was beautiful too.

…Is it his fate to attract beauties?

Black Danhwa opened her fan gracefully, waving it around. The other one, named Narin, is still a disciple, and it seemed she had a partner or destined companion, so it wasn’t much of a concern…

But the three in front of me seemed problematic.

I had already heard the stories. Gu Hwa-rin hails from Huashan. Su-ryeon and Il-ho from Shaolin.

Those two places had established connections.

Well, that itself isn’t important. What matters is the other side.

As for how to recognize them…

It’s easy.

“Hey, you three.”

Black Danhwa giggled with her fan covering her mouth.

“Don’t you want to hear old stories about Jeok-un?”

The three pairs of eyes shifted. In that instant, Black Danhwa felt assured.

Maybe… but definitely…

Yes.

They’re all rivals in love.

Black Danhwa smiled brightly.

“But I won’t tell you.”

“W-what?!”

Who are you doing this for?

…

 

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