---

**

I realized as I approached.

Master.

The assembled individuals shared a sharp atmosphere. While I couldn’t determine their exact levels of skill, it was certain they were all competent martial artists.

Among them, one stood out with an exceptionally keen presence.

“…….”

The piercing gaze was cold and silent as iron.

“Who are you?”

“I’ve come with an introduction.”

I handed over the letter I had brought. The man read it thoroughly, then glanced at my shoulder.

“…Blood Phoenix, huh.”

The bird that had been perched quietly on my shoulder from the start. I gently nudged it. The feathered creature trembled and leaned its small head against mine.

The man’s brow furrowed.

“What relation do you have with the Master of Blood Sea?”

“I cannot disclose that.”

“…I see.”

“Um, sir.”

One of the seated men spoke up.

“Master of Blood Sea… why is Ilma’s name mentioned here?”

“It was Ilma’s request. He said to take that bird as a participant of the Fengma Cave observation group.”

“Huh?! Just like that?! That’s not something you can decide on a whim?!”

“It’s a command, so I will comply. The Fokma Clan is one of the organizations serving the Demon War. The Master of Blood Sea is effectively above me. Goon Cheon-gyeong.”

“Ah, but… how can we trust that letter? It could be fake, right?”

“The possibility is not negligible.”

The man pointed at my shoulder.

“That’s the Blood Phoenix. Famous for having red-tipped feathers. Not everyone can handle it. It’s a special bird reserved only for the Blood Sea, and its speed and flying distance far exceed those of ordinary birds.”

“Blood Sea?! Could it be that this person is from the Blood Sea…?”

“That can’t be. I know every face among the Blood Sea members. That’s why I’m asking. If that Blood Phoenix’s tips are unusually red, and its inner feathers appear pinkish…”

The man stared intently at my face.

“That is the Blood Phoenix of the Master of Blood Sea.”

“Ilma’s… Blood Phoenix?!”

“Is there anyone who could steal Ilma’s Blood Phoenix within our organization? I wager there is none. Besides… it seems very attached to you. I know it’s not the type to stick closely to just anyone.”

The man reached out, and the Blood Phoenix spread its wings threateningly.

“…It seems well-loved.”

“I was fortunate.”

“Seems like luck isn’t everything.”

The man introduced himself.

“I am Na So-wan. From this side to that side, we have Goon Cheon-gyeong, Naeng San-wol, Im Go-pung, and Deung Yeoryong. We are the Fokma Clan guiding the Fengma Cave observation group.”

“It is an honor to meet Hak Su Gwi.”

“Quite a formal greeting. But it’s not bad. Now, answer my questions. Bi Cheon.”

Feeling unfamiliar with the alias, I nodded.

Na So-wan asked.

“Are you our subordinate?”

“I’ve received orders to follow as a participant.”

“Did Ilma tell you about me?”

“I heard that if I were to become a hindrance, you would dismiss me even if it was at your own request.”

“What is your answer to that?”

“I will do my utmost to not be a hindrance.”

“Nice and tidy. Goon Cheon-gyeong. Help him unpack.”

The young man, Goon Cheon-gyeong, stiffened his face.

“Sir, how should we treat this person…? I mean this individual?”

“You just heard our conversation. He is here as my subordinate. He is practically a temporary new recruit in the Fokma Clan, so treat him accordingly. And Bi Cheon.”

“Yes.”

“There is something you must remember. Can you see the commonality among those I brought with me?”

I looked around. The subordinates around him were all men.

“Aside from the fact they are all men, I can’t say much else.”

“There are women within the Fokma Clan. But I didn’t bring any here. I understand how troublesome conflicts arising from relationships can be. Those brought here, despite appearances, are practically all similar to eunuchs.”

“Sir!”

“Not quite that bad!”

“Isn’t that a bit extreme?!”

Despite the torrent of complaints, Na So-wan didn’t flinch at all.

“This time, the observation group has a particularly pretty woman. Especially, the disciple of Sma, who is joining from the Black Serpent, is said to be stunningly beautiful. Your only job is, Bi Cheon.”

“What…?”

“Don’t engage in conversation with the pretty woman. Just provide conveniences and refrain from unnecessary chatter. Act like an eunuch. While we are responsible for guiding the observation group, it doesn’t mean we can act as we please. Minimize conflicts. Focus solely on the tasks I set for you without undue actions.”

Na So-wan glared at me with piercing eyes.

“Do not mix personal feelings with work. Even if you start to have feelings for a pretty woman, pursue them only once everything is over. If you can’t abide by that and act strangely… I will leave you behind on the spot.”

“I understand.”

“Goon Cheon-gyeong. Show Bi Cheon to his room.”

“Yes, yes. So, um, Bi Cheon… right? Let’s go for now.”

The man called Goon Cheon-gyeong was somewhat shorter. He seemed quite personable, and just as Na So-wan disappeared from view, he asked curiously.

“Bi Cheon? Where do you hail from? What is your relationship with Ilma…?”

“As I said earlier, I have my reasons for not sharing. More than anything…”

I smiled faintly.

“I’d appreciate it if you spoke comfortably with me, senior. Think of me as a less capable junior and guide me.”

“…Hmm, is that so?”

“Of course.”

Goon Cheon-gyeong beamed a widely, warm smile.

“I was worried you’d be some hopeless fellow joining suddenly, but thankfully, you are quite polite. Now, here is our lodging. You’ll be staying here for three days. Work will continue with camping afterward.”

“Is there no village on the way to Fengma Cave?”

“Nope. You have to cross several mountains. It’s a place where no roads exist. I’ve been there once before… the path is perilous, unfit for regular folks. Moreover, around the entrance of Fengma Cave, it’s blocked by a magical formation.”

Goon Cheon-gyeong lowered his voice.

“Isn’t what the Master just said a bit out of the blue?”

“The relationship issue… you mean?”

“Yeah. That one. But it’s unavoidable. Just accept it. There was a mishap before.”

“What kind of mishap?”

“The Fokma Clan is one of the direct organizations involved with the Demon War. A neutral organization… so… to put it simply, it’s similar to Blood Sea. When mediators are needed within the school, the Fokma Clan usually dispatches. Because of that, it’s become a tradition for us to guide the Fengma Cave observation group.”

“Help me with unloading my baggage. Why did you bring so much?”

Goon Cheon-gyeong dropped my luggage to the side.

“Guiding the observation group has been a responsibility of the Fokma Clan for generations. It’s been led by the current clan leader for the past decade. However, every two years, without fail, there’s been an incident.”

“Is it related to the relationship issue you mentioned earlier?”

“Yeah. Among the junior disciples from the sect, only those with bright futures are gathered, right? That leads to at least one phoenix getting mixed in. Sometimes, there are many. As a result, subtle power struggles occur among the junior disciples. Be it between men or women. Even if left alone, their blood could boil, and when pretty or handsome members are mixed in, they become uncontrollably heated.”

Goon Cheon-gyeong shrugged his shoulders.

“Four years ago, a guy from the Fokma Clan even tried to make moves on a junior disciple from the Nacall Sect. It wasn’t without reason the Master has been vigilant. Those who should be guiding ended up attacking the observation members… it massively damaged the Fokma Clan’s reputation.”

“That’s…”

“When relationships are involved, things get complicated. It’s hard to control the spirit struggles between sects, but we can’t have incidents occurring within the Fokma Clan themselves, can we? On top of that, if someone asks you to take their side, ignore them completely. We must always maintain neutrality.”

“Thank you for the advice, senior. I will remember it.”

“…What’s up with you? Why are you listening so well? You’re quite different from what I expected.”

Awkwardly, Goon Cheon-gyeong scratched the back of his head. He draped his arm over my shoulder.

“Let’s eat! I’ll introduce you to the others! It’ll take at least a month to travel to Fengma Cave… it won’t hurt to remember, right?”

“Of course, senior.”

I was introduced to the rest of the Fokma Clan members. Each one was somewhat blunt and quiet, but they were all kind to me.

I felt like they were aware of Ilma standing behind me. Despite their kindness, there was a slight distance.

The only one I felt no distance from was Goon Cheon-gyeong. Initially somewhat awkward, he eventually began chatting with me.

“You seem to have a way of respecting others. Do you normally wake up this early?”

“If the junior doesn’t wake up later than the senior, how could that be acceptable? Please hand me the outerwear. I will hang it up.”

“…Huh?”

His first expression was one of ‘what’s up with this kid?’

But after two days, Goon Cheon-gyeong was grinning at me.

“Junior, you’ve heard a lot that you’re quite amiable, haven’t you?”

“I’m hearing it for the first time.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

Despite his somewhat lighthearted demeanor, Goon Cheon-gyeong worked diligently every moment. He smoothly joined in on the morning training I was doing alone.

“I wish I could spar with you, but… that’s not possible. This is the domain of the Demon Sect. If you draw a sword carelessly, the Demon Sect’s warriors will come rushing. Be careful, junior.”

“Is training also prohibited?”

“More precisely, it’s ‘drawing a sword’ that is forbidden. Within this area, only the warriors of the Demon Sect can wield weapons. Under any circumstances, no one else is allowed to use force.”

With time on our hands, Goon Cheon-gyeong and I took a stroll around the city. Along with the slowly arriving junior disciples, there was also the reason to prepare for essential belongings.

“How much food did you pack, junior?”

“I packed just enough, but it seems like we need a replenishment.”

“Buy food for your portion too. The Master gave us money for that. Let’s also buy any tools we need while we’re at it.”

“Wouldn’t that be a bit troublesome…?”

“Junior, this is senior’s advice. You should take advantage whenever you can to survive well.”

On the way back, Goon Cheon-gyeong smiled.

“I’m happy to see someone I can talk to. Everyone else has been so unresponsive; it’s been boring. After all, they’re not exactly my close friends.”

“I’m not one to chatter much either.”

“Since you’re attentive in your responses, it’s been pleasant. Typically, when both sides talk a lot, it can be tiring. It’s way easier to have a conversation when one side speaks less.”

Admitting himself to be chatty.

However, Goon Cheon-gyeong’s words were intertwined with such interesting segments that it was genuinely enjoyable.

“So it’s your first time in the Black Serpent? You probably haven’t wandered around the school much, have you? Ah, there’s so much to see here… after work, let’s roam around together. I know some really nice spots.”

“What do you mean by nice spots…?”

“That’s obviously Gilu! It’s no joke! Only the prettiest girls gather there!”

“…Senior, aren’t you a bit of a eunuch…?”

“Did you really believe that?! Of course, it’s a lie! I’m just someone who separates work and personal life! ”

As junior disciples began to gather one by one, just as expected, each was accompanied by two bodyguards.

The skills of the bodyguards were also sharp. If one were to clash swords, they would quickly know that none of them should be taken lightly.

Goon Cheon-gyeong whispered.

“Don’t stare too much. These are warriors dispatched to protect junior disciples from their respective sects. Every one of them is fairly adept with a sword.”

“Do you mean Intangible Sword?”

“No way. That can’t be right. An Intangible Sword like Noh Hwan-cheon wouldn’t be here just as a bodyguard. Bodyguards and junior disciples are pretty much equals. Most are at the pinnacle level.”

Goon Cheon-gyeong shrugged.

“After all, a pinnacle level martial artist is a talent worthy of serving a major leader. It’s rare. And above all, the Master of Fokma is here, right? When it comes to safety, it’s like being protected by a thick wall.”

“Is he really that strong?”

“What can I say? He’s the ‘Clan Leader’. Aside from the Heavenly Eight Martial Artists, he’s practically the highest-ranked martial artist in the school. An ordinary martial artist could die dozens of times and still never reach the level he has achieved. He is a renowned master recorded in history who underwent a major transformation and has reached the realm of Huaxing.”

I thought he was extraordinary from the moment I first saw him, but…

He’s a master at Huaxing level.

“Yet he’s quite a warm-hearted person. Even with lower-level members of the Fokma Clan, he still treats them with care. Thanks to him, I’m able to do things like this.”

Goon Cheon-gyeong waved his hand, and a surge of energy flowed from it.

“Pinnacle…”

“Had it not been for the Master, I would never have reached that level. Who would have thought I’d be called a master… I’m fortunate to have found connections and entered the Fokma Clan. By the way, junior, where do you stand?”

Since I was also adept with energy, perhaps it was just that he wasn’t catching on.

I felt no need to reveal that and smiled faintly.

“I’m about the same, senior.”

“Once everything’s over, try asking the Master for guidance. If you stay focused on your tasks without causing any trouble, there might even be a reward waiting at the end…”

Goon Cheon-gyeong suddenly stopped speaking.

He focused on one spot and dropped his jaw.

“Wait, what? The phoenix is coming? I was hoping for a phoenix, but… that’s a dragon!”

Turning my head to follow his gaze, I saw her.

Light makeup, long eyelashes.

Somewhat provocative in appearance, her gaze was softening, and her features had become more exquisite since the last time I saw her.

Her steps seemed to make even delicate sounds, and the black belt around her neck strangely drew the gaze of all men.

A woman accompanied by two bodyguards.

**Disciple of Sma, Eun Seol-ran.**

Goon Cheon-gyeong let out a deep sigh that he had never expressed before.

“Wow. Damn. That’s why the Master was particularly worried.”

“Is she famous?”

“Famous? It’s been less than a few years since she came in, and she has already crushed every other sect that was once a threat. It is said that her fighting ability has proven her worth single-handedly…”

Goon Cheon-gyeong lowered his voice.

“They say her talent can rival even the Heavenly Eight Martial Artists and that Sma himself brags about her.”

“Why is that?”

“You must have heard of it. Eun Seol-ran, being the daughter of Eun Yang-bak, the One-Eyed Sword. She’s the child cast aside by the Blood Demon. Can you imagine how painful it is for the other sects to have such a true gem as a disciple?”

Goon Cheon-gyeong wiped his mouth discreetly.

“She’s ridiculously pretty. Junior, you see that? Even the bodyguards can’t take their eyes off her. They say she’s the top beauty of the Black Serpent, and it seems the rumors weren’t just hot air. But keep your eyes away. Or you’ll hear something from the Master.”

“Yes.”

Once known as Twenty-Nine.

Now she’s acknowledged as the top beauty of the Black Serpent.

I was secretly pleased at the stark contrast in her current status. After worrying about the lack of information, it seemed that most matters had progressed favorably.

I didn’t go out of my way to acknowledge her. I had to hide my identity, and there were also commands from the Master.

Eun Seol-ran approached Na So-wan and greeted him. Her demeanor exuded grace without flaw.

“It is an honor to meet the Master of Fokma.”

“Eun So-ja, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“I believe I’ve been safe, thanks to your concern.”

Though she smiled like a cat licking its tail, her eyes were calm.

Na So-wan smirked.

“That’s enough of the greetings. I hope you don’t cause any trouble.”

“I’ll bear that in mind. I’ll take my leave now.”

As Eun Seol-ran took her leave, our eyes briefly met.

In that fleeting moment, I averted my gaze. Eun Seol-ran tilted her head before leaving.

She didn’t recognize me, did she?

As if to dismiss that worry, Goon Cheon-gyeong tapped my shoulder.

“It’s happening.”

“What?”

“The wild child the Master has been keeping an eye on has arrived. One of the Nine Disciples of Ima is here. I definitely didn’t think they would actually participate.”

The atmosphere quieted in an instant. A tall man strode boldly into the tavern.

His surveying gaze was prideful. The formidable power he possessed showed without hesitation, like he was scattering his energy.

A pinnacle level warrior.

A martial artist openly flaunting their powers stood before the Master of Fokma.

“Master. How have you been?”

“…Jin Wi-lyang. It’s been a while.”

He scanned the area and quickly caught sight of Eun Seol-ran, smiling brightly.

Without any special greeting to the Master, he immediately approached her.

“Eun So-ja! It’s been a while!”

“…Indeed, it has, Jin Wi-lyang.”

“Haha! Why so stiff? It doesn’t suit us. Let’s lighten up a bit.”

His hand naturally reached up to caress her shoulder, and he smiled wickedly.

“Aren’t we here to promote harmony between the sects? I don’t think it’s necessary to create a tense ambiance, do you, Eun So-ja?”

Eun Seol-ran swiftly slapped his hand away.

“Harmony is fine, but I’d prefer some distance.”

“Haha! I find that sharpness appealing.”

“…….”

It wasn’t just sharpness; it looked like genuine dislike.

Goon Cheon-gyeong whispered softly.

“That’s Jin Wi-lyang. A disciple of Ima of the Demon Sect. A superficial guy.”

“Is he known for having a bad reputation?”

“If it were just that, I wouldn’t be bothered. That guy is just…”

Goon Cheon-gyeong sighed.

“Just trash among trash.”

 

---