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**

I pulled out all the Nightshade at Black Wind’s orders.

In the darkness, I could hear sniffing noises.

“Some senses dull out, making the remaining ones sharper. Let’s see…”

“Is that a dog?”

“With special training, even Sojeo could do it. If you ask, I could teach you.”

“I’ll pass.”

“Tsk tsk. What a rare chance to miss out on.”

Black Wind mumbled something, and I could hear him brushing against the wall.

“Enough. Bring back the Nightshade.”

The underground potion-making room where the light returned had a large character written on it.

Blood (血).

“…Blood? Does that mean I’ve seen blood?”

“It’s not just that simple. Even while being captured, they must have tried to write something pivotal. The character itself must signify something…”

Entities or people related to the character “Blood.”

As I pondered, Black Wind clicked his tongue.

“I thought it was a power struggle among the three factions, but it seems I was wrong. This is quite something. The emergence of a third force, at that…”

“What do you mean?”

“An old tale. The only one I’ve seen here is Huachun Quenma.”

“Explain properly. You punk.”

“Have you heard of the Blood Sect?”

“…What? Blood Sect? Is that the splinter faction from the main sect?”

Huachun Quenma growled.

“They’re all dead. Punk. It’s been decades since they faced execution. Their power splintered, and all their secret texts were burned, I heard. Anyone who continued the Blood Sect’s progress was killed by the Previous Heavenly Demon. Why are those people suddenly popping up now?”

“I thought so too, but it seems it’s not an issue that can be easily concluded. The Blood character is closely tied to them, and more than anything, the trace of this martial art is one I’ve never seen before.”

“Isn’t your understanding a bit limited?”

“Ha! Don’t talk nonsense! The name Black Wind carries weight. I know more than you can imagine. If I say I haven’t seen it, then nine out of ten martial artists from the main sect wouldn’t have seen this martial art either!”

Black Wind flared up, sounding provoked.

“It seems Huachun Quenma is as confident as he is to immediately identify the trace of the martial art that destroyed this place? Huh?”

“Such an arrogant brat. I’ll have to teach you some manners.”

“Is it strange not to be irritated when you keep whining on the side with no brains? Go ahead and try to catch me. You can’t even follow my slightest footsteps.”

“You brat!”

“Both of you, stop.”

I organized the information.

“…Blood Sect. A fallen organization. Are you saying that they are the most likely force?”

“If my guess is correct. If Mu Gongja doubts my reasoning… then I have no defense.”

I thought long and hard.

“…Blood Sect. If Black Wind’s deduction is right, then it means a third force is intervening. Black Wind. What was the relationship between the Blood Sect and the main sect during its time?”

“What was there even to discuss? The story ends with the fact that they were destroyed by the Previous Heavenly Demon. The Blood Sect was so violent that even the Previous Heavenly Demon refused to accept them. Literally, blood. A mad group that killed countless believers and used their corpses for rituals.”

“If they were separated from the main sect… their relationship with the other three factions can’t be good either.”

“Of course.”

I started connecting the dots.

“A group that has been hiding for decades… and a faction that boldly grows their power… which one can amass more strength?”

“Naturally, it would be the faction, right? Once they’re exposed to the light, they can absorb more nutrients.”

“The three factions would be superior to the Blood Sect. And those three groups had already shed blood at Eungmin.”

“It’s been six months since the incident. Everyone is keeping quiet, but countless bodies have piled up under Eungmin. It was enough to slightly shake the foundations of the three factions.”

“Even so, if the Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan hasn’t been discovered yet… Black Wind. What do you think is the reasoning behind that?”

“……”

Black Wind’s expression hardened.

“Did it cause internal strife among the three factions? It indeed… makes sense. Moreover, the fact that organization hasn’t been caught yet implies a high possibility of traitors hidden within the factions.”

“This is also just a guess.”

“It’s too accurate to be dismissed as a mere guess. The Blood Sect and the factions. If we identify the people connected to them, we could trace the interrupted path again. But how do we find them?”

“I’m thinking it over.”

“Warrior. If everything you said connects, leave that part to me. It might be tedious work, but there’s definitely a way.”

Black Danhwa slightly stood up.

I asked.

“Can you explain the method?”

“I can. But I’d rather not say it to others. There are only four unwilling people here.”

“Am I included?”

“Did you think you wouldn’t be?”

I would have to hear that story later. I searched the area again to see if there was anything else to obtain.

But there was nothing. This was the end.

“…Blood Sect.”

The usually thoughtful Huachun Quenma walked away silently. His two disciples followed suit.

Black Wind vanished like the wind. He left with words of returning later, completely disappearing.

Only Black Danhwa remained. She gently grabbed my arm.

“Warrior. I think we should rest first. Don’t you agree?”

“That’s true, but…”

“After all, this will take time. It can’t be done in one night. So let’s rest for now. We need to conserve our strength to rescue the members of the Blood Sea Organization.”

Black Danhwa pulled on my hand.

“One room should be enough? The prices in Eungmin are ridiculously high right now. If we split it into two, we’ll just waste money.”

“…I’m fine with that, but… what about you, Black Sojeo?”

“I’m fine too. I know you wouldn’t recklessly assault me. If you were crazy about women, you would’ve been like that black idiot, shaking your waist in the air.”

“Not that far, but I am a man.”

“That’s the funniest and cutest thing I’ve heard.”

The sound of water splashing echoed.

“If you’re that confident, you’re free to give it a try.”

“…You’re joking too much.”

“Am I joking?”

“……”

…

After finally parting with quite a bit of money, I could finally lay down in the inn.

She was right. Staying in Eungmin required a lot of money. For now, it was fine, but who knew what the future held.

It was wise to save money. For a while, I guess I would have to share a room with her.

Black Danhwa went to wash up first and disappeared behind the closed door. Amid the rustling sounds, I suddenly thought of Baekmae.

Come to think of it, she must have also washed like this. She must be training under Myo Ye-rin now…

I wondered what she was doing by now.

“Are you planning to peep?”

“I’m not peeping.”

“You can if you want.”

“Black Sojeo. Please value your own body.”

“Valuing myself… is a difficult phrase.”

I could hear the sound of her body sinking into warm water.

From beyond the unseen door, a sluggish sigh floated through.

“You asked about my method earlier? It’s simple. I don’t know exactly what kind of group the Blood Sect is, but the reason for going through the trouble to obtain the Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan is clear. Revenge against the Demon Cult. It’s clear they’re trying to create a rift between the three factions. They want to constantly provoke suspicion among each other, causing conflict. They’ve already reaped some benefits. Eungmin hasn’t run dry of blood for six months, with corpses piled high.”

“…….”

“I’ve heard some rumors since coming here. Every one of them overflowed with malice. They say so-and-so holds the Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan— these deliberate rumors. And most of them pointed to masters of each faction. There were relatively few rumors pointing to unassociated martial artists.”

—Rustle.

I could hear her washing her body.

“So, what we need to do is simple. We just trace back the origins of these malicious rumors. After capturing one and interrogating them, lead to another connected one and interrogate them again. It will be a bit tedious and laborious, but… the effect is sure. You’d find out who started those nonsensical rumors.”

“…Isn’t that a stretch? It’s a bit unreasonable to say that all the rumors originated from the spy of the Blood Sect.”

“You’re right. It might be rumors intentionally spread by the factions. They’re three pillars supporting the main sect, but they’re also a giant force monitoring each other. But mixed within, there will also be genuine leaks of information from the spies. With my soul-seeking skills, I can extract every bit of information that exists. Confirming the various people who started the rumors… that’s why I called it tedious work.”

“…….”

“Requests for investigations from the factions can’t be made. When a large force moves, noise is inevitable. The rats hide when they hear noise. The Blood Sect would be the same. We have to work quietly in the shadows, without drawing attention. Warrior. There may be conflicts with the factions during my operations. Attempting to dig quietly could easily raise suspicion of hostility, right?”

“I will protect you then.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear.”

I asked the closed door.

“Why are you helping me so much?”

“I’m just curious. I want to know what kind of person you are.”

“…Me?”

“You’re a person I’ve never seen before. Even after hearing the phrase ‘the best in the world,’ you never showed curiosity beyond the veil. You didn’t react when I said I could hold you, and even now, when I say to come in, you won’t.”

“If I enter just because you say to, wouldn’t that be stranger?”

“You said before that if you divide charm into ten parts, body and appearance are one. I don’t think so. I believe appearance is nine out of ten. No matter how outstanding your talents, if your face is ruined, everything disappears. Your gaze changes, and your position disappears too.”

“……”

“Have you ever put in so much effort, only for it to mean nothing? I have seen it. The feeling of becoming someone else…”

She mumbled something unknown as she asked me.

“Are you still curious about the face beyond the veil?”

“…If you wish to show it, you can.”

“I honestly don’t have the courage. I’m a terrible liar. You might be disappointed.”

“Black Sojeo.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t know what happened to you. I still don’t know. But since you helped me, I want to repay that to you.”

“……”

“If you need help, just tell me. I will help as long as I can.”

“That’s kind of you to say.”

“Kind?”

I leaned my head against the door.

“Black Sojeo. You see, I’ve been feeling deeply lately about the importance of relationships. I’ve come to appreciate how valuable it is to have someone you trust and rely on. And I now understand that relationships aren’t just about one person helping another; they’re about sharing.”

“……”

“I believe people, while seeming like they can live alone, can’t actually do so. Everyone has weak moments, and at those times, they receive help. That’s probably the norm.”

“……”

“You said before that you were born into a worthless noble family and worked hard. I don’t know how much of that is true and how much is a lie. I have no idea what your face beyond the veil looks like.”

I opened my mouth.

I organized my thoughts.

“…But if the kinds of relationships you can form change just because of appearance, then I think that relationship itself is fundamentally wrong.”

“…….”

“I believe that what is present beyond what is visible is more substantial. Even if the face beyond the veil suddenly became ugly and distorted, the efforts you’ve put in over time won’t vanish, will they? Your efforts to raise your family. The martial arts you wielded to take responsibility for everything. The patience you held in difficult times…”

“……”

“I don’t know the kind of life you’ve lived, Black Sojeo, but if you treat a person differently just because their appearance changed, then those people you’ve encountered must be the strange ones. And just as much… I believe it’s not too late.”

“What isn’t too late?”

“There are still opportunities to build proper relationships, not strange ones.”

Seob Honyohee, Black Danhwa.

Our first meeting was terrible, but she was a thoughtful woman, offering me all sorts of help.

I don’t know exactly what kind of person she is. While she has a notorious reputation, I also don’t know what circumstances exist surrounding her, nor do I know the stories about her.

But still, I know one thing.

She’s making an effort for me.

Since I’ve received something, it’s only right I give something back. Thankfully, the more I converse with her, the more it seems she isn’t innately cruel.

“My name is Jeok-un. Black Sojeo.”

“……”

“I’m telling this only to you. Don’t go blabbing about it elsewhere.”

“…Haha.”

I heard the sound of her rising from the water. Water dripped down from her body as she spoke softly from in front of the door.

“Jeok-un. Are you saying you’ll be my new relationship?”

“If ‘friend’ is a good term, then I’ll be that.”

“Friend… friend… that feels nostalgic. I used to have a few, but now I’ve lost all of them. But there’s a condition. Jeok-un.”

“What is it?”

“Will you look beyond my veil?”

“What do you mean?”

“I want you to tell me how you see me beyond the veil. I’m asking.”

“If that’s what you wish, I can see.”

The door creaked open. A hand poked out, hesitatingly wriggling before slowly widening the gap.

I saw something. A face revealed under tied hair. A vivid scar consumed half of what was once surely a beautiful face.

It didn’t carry the smell of decay or anything foul. It appeared to be an old wound, simply leaving behind that mark.

Black Danhwa touched her face.

“…It’s an incurable wound. My response was slow when I got hurt, and every physician I later consulted shook their heads. I’ll probably live my whole life with this face. The best in the world? It was all a lie. Perhaps once, but now… I’m just a woman with an ugly and twisted appearance.”

“……”

“Is that still valid? The words that you want to be my friend?”

I reached out my hand, gently brushing against Black Danhwa’s startled face.

I felt her sorrow. Sighs collected at my fingertips.

The scar felt more painful than it appeared. Yet, my intentions remained unchanged.

There’s more that’s contained within than what’s on the outside.

—Thud.

I lightly tapped her forehead, and Black Danhwa let out a yelp.

“Why, why did you hit me?!”

“I hit you because your emotions were on display on your face. Those eyes seemed to predict my feelings changing.”

“……”

“I thought those who bear scars would understand best. Has my attitude towards you changed?”

She examined my face, hesitatingly turning her head.

“Ah… no.”

“If so?”

“Why are you asking if that’s the case?”

“Since you just saw that it hasn’t changed, I’m asking if you’ll build a relationship with me, Black Sojeo.”

I extended my hand.

“What will you do?”

“…….”

Hesitating, Black Danhwa took my hand.

“I have one more condition.”

“What is it?”

“Call me by my name.”

“…Danhwa.”

“Yes. That’s nice.”

She reached her hand toward the veil in the distance, then suddenly pulled it back.

“Do I not have to wear it?”

“If you want, then you don’t have to. Just wear something else.”

“What?”

“Your clothes look a bit loose and expose too much.”

Black Danhwa blinked, bursting into laughter.

“Jeok-un, you’re a strange person. Why? Is my body lewd?”

“…Don’t tease me.”

“I won’t. It’s just fun. Ahaha! I haven’t laughed like this in forever.”

Black Danhwa lunged at me, rubbing her cheek against my back.

“Take care of me, friend.”

“Likewise. But really, about your clothes…”

“I usually sleep naked when I’m alone.”

“I do sometimes too.”

“Is a friend still a man?”

“Yes, a man.”

“That’s a bit disappointing.”

“Put on your clothes first.”

 

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