—...You’ve rendered me speechless. If that bastard poisons you, you’re all fucking dead, you know?

—I’m not stupid enough to get poisoned. And for now, there’s no reason for him to poison me anyway.

—...Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. That kind of thing?

—Not exactly. We both want something from the other, so until we get it, it’s a sort of mutual benefit.

My lips curled into a smirk.

—And that bastard doesn’t realize?

—Correct.

—...Hey.

—Yes, Senior.

—Let’s not become enemies.

Unhwi also smiled.

—I can only hope the same.

And then—

—Thanks for the intel about the Iron Mountain of Saryang and Jang Unhong plotting something.

—No need for thanks. Looks like you’d already guessed it too.

—There’s a world of difference between guessing and being certain, wouldn’t you say?

—True enough. In any case, until next time.

—Yes. I entrust Cheonpung to your care, Senior.

Gwanghan silently nodded as he watched Unhwi perform a respectful martial salute.

“Khrrk... Tajo-nim...”

And then smacked the crying Cheonpung on the head.

“Quit your damn bawling and let’s go already.”

***

I watched the backs of Gwanghan and Cheonpung as they left.

Only after they disappeared over the horizon did I turn my head.

Gwanghan definitely wasn’t a bad person.

He’d even left me with a kind warning—but unfortunately for him, I already knew.

I’d even studied it in advance.

My gaze turned toward the Medicinal Hall.

The new master of the Medicinal Hall in the branch division had been chosen through open recruitment. There were quite a few applicants.

Out of them, I pointed to just one man.

His cultivation stage was Jucheongyeong. His name: Lee Myeonghwa—also known by the alias Poison Master (Dosa).

He was forty years old and hailed from Sam Bong Province in the far-off nation of Gye.

That region housed the renowned medical clan, the Taewon Lee Clan, and Lee Myeonghwa was one of their descendants. He was also one of the two disciples of Cheon Saeum.

Now—who is Cheon Saeum?

He’s the Deputy Pavilion Lord of Poison Serpent Valley, a sub-sect of the Main Blood Sect.

His ability is enough to qualify as Pavilion Lord, but he declined the position himself.

That didn’t change even after I became the Blood Heaven Arbiter.

The Pavilion Lord position was always held by someone other than Cheon Saeum, and every one of them treated him as a superior.

It was simple.

Why did Cheon Saeum refuse the Pavilion Lord seat?

Because he had too much to do.

Then why did he accept the deputy position?

So he could dump all the annoying responsibilities on the Pavilion Lord.

He’s funnier than he looks—and a lunatic who buries himself in daily research to fulfill his "personal aspirations."

In the distant future, when Cheon Saeum eventually declares his work complete and steps down to live in seclusion, the man who succeeds him as Deputy Pavilion Lord is none other than—

Lee Myeonghwa, his second and last disciple.

That man, who is now furiously concocting new batches of Shinsamhwa in the Medicinal Hall.

There’s no question about his skill.

So then—why would a man like him come here?

Because of Ju Soa.

The secret realm that had emerged in Yangryeong was now nearly forgotten—but it had definitely existed.

There were survivors, and there were those who knew it had appeared.

The ones who saw it to the end were martial artists of the Geomcheolun Sect—and Ju Soa.

I checked what had become of the Geomcheolun Sect and heard there had been no major issues.

However, one of their disciples who had been stationed there at the time had gone missing. It was obvious.

I had extracted the intel from him.

“...Why are you staring like that? Do you like me or something?”

The way Ju Soa said it—there was no denying she had become Yu Cheong’s target.

But for now, the wisest move was to quietly take precautions and say nothing. Like I’ve said before—widening the front lines is the act of a fool.

Now is not the time to provoke Tianlin. Nor Yu Cheong.

Not even the Main Blood Sect.

First, I must deal with the things directly in front of me.

“Ju Soa.”

“Yes?”

“Has a letter come from Saryang?”

Ju Soa gave a slight scoff.

“Of course not. The two leaders of those sects over there are busy plotting. You think they’re going to send a damn letter?”

Tch.

I clicked my tongue lightly.

As I’ve said before—I don’t enjoy killing people. I kill them because it’s necessary.

But no letter from Saryang, no message from the Main Martial Alliance, or the Sichuan Alliance’s main branch either.

“It’s taking longer than I expected.”

Ju Soa seemed sharper than I gave her credit for.

“I’m guessing... the Martial Alliance and ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) the Sichuan Alliance just want everything to fade away quietly, right?”

“Not bad.”

“Tajo-nim. I may look like this, but I’m one of the top five experts of the Five Banners Formation. The Five Banners, okay? I’ve lived one hell of a life in the martial world—seen all the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. You think I can’t read the board?”

“Go on, then.”

“Put it bluntly—there’s a thing called class. Class. The Martial Alliance and the Sichuan Alliance both took a huge hit from you, Tajo-nim. And even if they wanted to bow their heads, groups with that kind of class don’t bend so easily. If you ask me, Sichuan’s testing the waters, and the Martial Alliance is staying silent using ‘internal stabilization’ as an excuse... So that’s why, right? You’re aiming for Saryang next.”

I chuckled.

“You’re right.”

“See? I figured.”

Ju Soa wasn’t wrong.

Gun Mugyeol and Gang Cheonu must be dying to settle their grudge. But because of their class and pride, they can’t lower themselves that easily. They’re probably hoping that if they just keep quiet and don’t act, the resentment will naturally fade away.

But grudges don’t disappear like that.

A grudge only ends when it’s taken to the very end.

“Ju Soa.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll be stepping away for a bit. In the meantime, there’s something I need you to do.”

At my words, Commander Seong sighed and rubbed his forehead. He clearly knew what I was about to do.

Only Ju Soa, who didn’t know, tilted her head with a blank expression.

I immediately explained what I needed her to do—and after hearing the full story, Ju Soa let out a stunned laugh.

“...Was it like this back then too?”

“It was.”

“...Unbelievable. Fine, I’ll give it a try.”