By Zephyria 
Ma Jin-cheon, who had jumped up, panted with a reddened face. He seemed to realize that he had become excited, and after a few deep breaths, he regained his composure.
“That’s enough. Return to Mount Hua.”
“If you came to say that, you’ve made a wasted trip. You know me better than anyone.”
“…The Sect leader has ordered a dispatch.”
Startled, Baek Ryeo-il widened his eyes and looked up at his Master.
“A war is about to break out.”
Ma Jin-cheon drove the wedge with a heavy voice.
Over the past three years, the balance of power in the Martial world had subtly shifted. The starting point of the change was, of course, the incident at the Zegal Clan, called the Limitless Blood Flower.
There were strange rumors about Third Young Master Seong Mu-geuk, who had thoroughly toyed with quite a few Sects and then escaped unscathed.
For some unknown reason, the Demonic Cult Main Palace had repeatedly summoned him to its base in Xinjiang, but the rumors said that Third Young Master did not respond and eventually annihilated Second Young Master Seong Mu-ryong and his squad, who had come to forcibly repatriate him.
Third Young Master had betrayed his father.
It seemed that it was not entirely nonsense, as some Demonic humans began to show different behaviors than before.
The Demonic Cult is basically a place where the strong are respected.
The tale of Third Young Master’s triumph over his older brother, Second Young Master, with overwhelming force was enough to move the hearts of the cultists. Third Young Master quietly but quickly absorbed his father’s cultists, and eventually, the existing Old Demonic Cult and Third Young Master’s New Demonic Cult were divided.
The New Demonic Cult, led by Third Young Master, was completely different from the old one. Rumor had it that they were aggressive, ambitious, and ultimately aimed to swallow the Central Plains.
As if to prove the suspicions, the New Demonic Cult caused a stir almost every day. There were countless small Sects that were annihilated overnight.
However, the Old Demonic Cult was unable to do anything and simply lost its power. Sending a large number of martial artists under its command to the Central Plains, which was firmly held by the Nine Great Sects, was tantamount to a declaration of war. If they made a mistake, they were in danger of being destroyed before being taken over by Third Young Master, due to attacks from the entire Central Plains.
Third Young Master steadily increased his size, even with the Demonic Cult Main Palace and the orthodox sect on both sides as enemies, and the Nine Great Sects could no longer sit idly by.
Mount Hua also had to send forces to protect the land where it was rooted.
“We plan to select several second-generation disciples, distribute our forces, and dispatch them to each region to protect Shanxi. If necessary, we may dispatch support to other regions. I’m thinking of entrusting you with the overall command. The other children are also excellent, but… I need you now, Ryeo-il. Please come back now.”
“……”
Baek Ryeo-il was speechless for a while, seemingly embarrassed by the unexpected radical situation.
Gang Woong stood blankly, unaware that the tea he had prepared was cooling down, listening to their story.
‘Was the situation this serious?’
The situation had deteriorated to the point where the Nine Great Sects had to step in. Gang Woong waited for his Master’s answer with anxious eyes. But he could fully anticipate what Baek Ryeo-il would say.
“I’ll move separately. That will be much better for my Senior Brothers. Instead, I’ll definitely reduce the number of enemies.”
Baek Ryeo-il said that he would continue to push forward as he had done so far. He meant that he would repeat the life of going back and forth between Haoh Gate and the Beggar Clan, and when he heard news that the Demonic Cult had appeared in a certain area, he would take his sword and chase after them.
“……Who can stop your stubbornness?”
Ma Jin-cheon stepped back surprisingly easily. As he put on the long robe he had taken off, Gang Woong’s heart sank.
“A-are you going back right away? Won’t you stay a little longer…? Have a meal before you go, Grandmaster.”
Ma Jin-cheon gave a weak smile, reading his heart that he didn’t want to part with him so soon.
“I’m sorry. I don’t have time to delay.”
Ma Jin-cheon glared at Baek Ryeo-il.
“Send me a letter every now and then! I need to know if you’re dead or alive, geez…”
Baek Ryeo-il ended his farewell with a perfunctory nod. Then he dragged out Hong-gae, who had been hiding in the corner, trying to read the room. He was trying to continue the real business that had been delayed by Ma Jin-cheon’s appearance.
“I-I’ll see you off!”
In the meantime, Gang Woong hurriedly chased after Ma Jin-cheon, who was already far away in the hallway.
“I’m sorry that you came all the way here on purpose and are going back like this, Grandmaster.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m glad I confirmed that you’re doing well.”
Ma Jin-cheon didn’t look upset at all, so it seemed that he didn’t expect to be able to persuade Baek Ryeo-il in the first place.
Gang Woong fidgeted with his fingers, feeling sorry. Ma Jin-cheon raised his arm to stroke the boy’s head as a habit, but instead patted him on the shoulder.
“I couldn’t say it earlier, but you’ve grown a lot taller again. You’ll be the same as your Master soon.”
“N-no way…! How dare I…!”
He, who had become hardened by the rough life, blushed as if he had become a child from three years ago when he stood in front of an adult who cared for him.
“…Woong, would you like to return to Mount Hua with me?”
“Ah.”
“I’ve been worried about Ryeo-il, but I’ve been most worried about you. That insensitive guy won’t take care of you properly, and I couldn’t sleep because I was worried that you, who are still young, are just suffering outside.”
“Grandmaster…”
Gang Woong felt something hot welling up inside his chest. He felt an urge to cry out and tell him about the hardships he had gone through.
And then go back to Mount Hua.
To Mount Hua, where there are warm meals, a roof, and family waiting.
“I’m…”
At that moment, a memory came to mind.
〈Please take care of Young master Baek.〉
It was the last thing Seong Mu-yeon said before he left.
The request was engraved like a brand deep in Gang Woong’s heart, and it had become his lifelong destiny.
“…I’ll stay with Master.”
In the end, Gang Woong rejected the sweet offer.
Ma Jin-cheon nodded with a light sigh.
“So be it.”
The two looked at each other in silence for a while. Although they didn’t say it out loud, they both knew why Baek Ryeo-il was like this.
He is looking for the missing Seong Mu-yeon.
Seong Mu-yeon left with the Second Young Master of the Demonic Cult. So if he chases the Demonic Cult, he will surely face him someday. That was why Baek Ryeo-il was so obsessed with chasing the Demonic Cult.
“Will you keep an eye on him so that he doesn’t do anything reckless?”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
“…I’m sorry for asking you this favor.”
Gang Woong waved his hand until Ma Jin-cheon’s back disappeared.
‘When will I be able to return to Mount Hua?’
With heavy steps, he returned to his room, where Baek Ryeo-il and Hong-gae were huddling together and talking.
“This is an unconfirmed rumor… Some residents of a remote village in the north died of poisoning, you know? The circumstances seem to be related to the Poison of Proof…”
“We’ll know if we go and check.”
Gang Woong’s heart grew heavy as he was about to embark on another long journey.
If they found Seong Mu-yeon, that would also be a problem.
‘Young master won’t welcome us.’
The reason why Seong Mu-yeon had to be with them had disappeared. He would have fully recovered his health after taking the Spirit Pill, and he would no longer need anyone’s help.
To him, who was doing better than ever, old ties would be uncomfortable and something he would want to avoid.
Thinking so, his heart felt bitter.
“We’ll leave as soon as the sun rises tomorrow. Be prepared.”
“Yes, Master.”
Gang Woong washed his dirty clothes and took out his sword, diligently wiping it to maintain its sharpness. As he moved mechanically, he suddenly put down the oil-stained cloth in unbearable pain.
Why does he always realize it only at the very end?
He had noticed from the beginning that Seong Mu-yeon had many secrets. He had also vaguely guessed that he would leave at any time, like flipping his palm.
But Seong Mu-yeon’s true appearance, not only making Baek Ryeo-il kneel but also his martial prowess that knocked down Uncle Jang Han-soo with a single blow, was truly amazing. Gang Woong was still confused as to whether he had seen it correctly.
‘…I’m such an idiot.’
He felt pathetic for not knowing anything. He had even volunteered to be his escort several times, but he had never properly protected Seong Mu-yeon.
It would be better for Baek Ryeo-il and Gang Woong himself if they couldn’t find him.
Because he had no face to face him again, and he had no expectation that he would return.
‘Young master… are you doing well?’
Gang Woong, who muttered inwardly, shook his head self-deprecatingly.
He didn’t know where Seong Mu-yeon was or what he was doing, but at least he was living a better life than when he was with them in Mount Hua.
The next morning, as soon as the sun rose, the two left the Inn and headed north.