By Zephyria 
Ak Mujin couldn’t understand what impulse had driven him to burst out of his room. He held Moonless in his hand, feeling an urgent need to return it to Jin Geum-ryeon. He hadn’t been able to return it during their escape due to the urgency of the situation, but who knew what might happen? The thought of being ambushed by the Namgung Clan warriors again, due to his complacency, was something he never wanted to experience again.
Throughout the short distance he walked, the words Jin Geum-ryeon had spoken while kneeling before Mae-yeong echoed endlessly in Ak Mujin’s mind. Jin Geum-ryeon’s voice, as he confessed his feelings to his master, was full of conviction, and it seemed his words were not meant only for his master.
And he was tormented by dwelling on the thoughts he had at that time.
Really, am I Jin Geum-ryeon’s destined partner? But, I’ve never felt even a shred of romantic feelings for Jin Geum-ryeon?
As he thought of Jin Geum-ryeon, Ak Mujin’s cheeks flushed red, and his heart fluttered uncontrollably as his clear smile naturally came to mind.
…Ak Mujin sighed softly.
Even so, he still felt a sense of resistance to getting closer to Jin Geum-ryeon.
Even though he had fallen into the world of Doujinshi and become a Yin Person, he was heterosexual. It was a matter he had never doubted in his entire life. Therefore, there was no way he could date Jin Geum-ryeon, and if he acted intimately with him unnecessarily, Jin Geum-ryeon would only have more vain hope. He knew his heart well, and he didn’t want to give him false hope.
In the meantime, Ak Mujin was already standing in front of Jin Geum-ryeon’s room. It was strange. Jin Geum-ryeon was definitely behind this door. But the thought of being able to face him just by opening this door made his heart pound as if it would burst.
To calm himself down, he quickly turned his back to the door and began to fidget with Moonless. Ah, right, I should go back. What big deal could happen overnight if I give him the sword in the morning? …Is that too carefree of a thought? But even so, facing Jin Geum-ryeon’s face right now was too much of a burden!
In the end, Ak Mujin, who had been struggling for a long time even about whether to go back or not, made a decision and was about to take a step towards his room. He felt a presence at the far end of the hallway.
Thinking that perhaps another assassin had attacked, Ak Mujin reflexively turned around, and two unarmed people were walking down the hallway. The one holding the light in front was the innkeeper, and behind him followed a person with a neutral appearance wearing a simple but quite luxurious Long Robe. The person noticed Ak Mujin and made a straight line with his mouth as if wary, but soon discovered Moonless in Ak Mujin’s hand and seemed surprised, then relaxed his expression.
“Sir? Why are you out at this late hour? Is there anything you need?”
The innkeeper, who had discovered Ak Mujin, hurried over and shone the light on his face. Just as Ak Mujin was about to turn his head slightly because he was dazzled, the room door burst open and Jin Geum-ryeon poked his head out.
“Was it you? What brings you here at this hour….”
He was pleasantly surprised, as if he hadn’t expected Ak Mujin to visit. But upon discovering the innkeeper standing next to him and the person beyond, he straightened his back with a serious expression.
“I thought you would arrive tomorrow, but you came earlier than I thought.”
The person with a neutral appearance, who greeted him in a calm voice, put his hands together in front of him and paid his respects to Jin Geum-ryeon. Then, he looked at Ak Mujin and bowed again, introducing himself.
“I am Song Ok-ryeong, Lord of the Haoh Gate.”
“Ahn Do-hyun.”
As Ak Mujin greeted Ok-ryeong in return, Jin Geum-ryeon stepped aside from the door.
“Come in.”
“Ah, I….”
Jin Geum-ryeon’s eyes lit up with a puzzled look at Ak Mujin’s appearance, as if he was about to refuse. Then, Ak Mujin glanced at Ok-ryeong and decided that he should hear the news she had brought, and stepped into the room.
Jin Geum-ryeon, who had brought Ok-ryeong inside, closed the door and led them to the table.
“Then, please tell me if you need anything at any time.”
After everyone sat down, the innkeeper put down the tea and left. Ok-ryeong, after confirming that no one was around, did not sit down and asked Jin Geum-ryeon.
“I am sorry, but may I report to you first as the situation is urgent?”
When Ok-ryeong said that, this time Jin Geum-ryeon looked at Ak Mujin as if asking for his permission. Then, Ak Mujin, who had been sitting loosely, straightened his upper body and nodded.
“Ah, of course. Please speak.”
Only then did Jin Geum-ryeon also nod lightly towards Ok-ryeong, and as soon as permission was granted, Ok-ryeong began to report in a clear and quick voice.
“You said you were curious about the Demon Cult situation with the Messenger hawk you sent a few days ago. It is difficult for us to know the deep internal affairs, but there has been definite movement in the last few days.”
As she said that, Ok-ryeong took out a map from her bosom and spread it out on the table. Jin Geum-ryeon and Ak Mujin sat down and lowered their eyes to where she was pointing.
“Even though Demon Cultists are scattered all over the Central Plains, it is not often that a Demon Cult group with a purpose comes out of Heavenly Mountain. However, they were first spotted in Honam about a month ago. Isn’t that where the Martial Alliance’s headquarters is located, so other forces have avoided unnecessary friction as much as possible? But about two months ago, because Lord Jin stayed here, rumors spread a bit, so it seems the Demon Cult was also paying attention.”
Ok-ryeong’s voice sounded as if she was blaming Jin Geum-ryeon, but the person in question was looking at the map without feeling any guilt.
“A person who used Demon Art appeared in a place they were already paying attention to. It would be impossible for the Demon Cult to remain still. Especially if it’s a problem involving an insider.”
At the word “insider,” Ak Mujin looked up at Ok-ryeong with a nervous face.
“Does that mean, Chun-wol….”
“It is not certain whether it is a person named Chun-wol, but we have confirmed that the Demon Cult is chasing after one of the members of the Intelligence Division.”
Ak Mujin sighed and leaned back against the backrest. Chun-wol was also in the Intelligence Division, so there was nothing more to see. He had forgotten that he had been racking his brains over the development of this Doujinshi world until just before entering Jin Geum-ryeon’s room, and instead, guilt weighed heavily on his heart.
“…It’s my fault. If I had been more careful…. No. If I hadn’t continued to rest on Chun-wol’s kindness….”
“He hasn’t been caught yet. As long as his whereabouts are identified, the Sandow Union can provide assistance at any time.”
Jin Geum-ryeon’s calm voice calmed Ak Mujin, but Ak Mujin was not at ease. Ok-ryeong asked sharply.
“You would help a Demon Cult in the Sandow Union?”
She stared at Jin Geum-ryeon and soon shifted her gaze to Ak Mujin. Ak Mujin fidgeted and clenched his fists anxiously.
“Yes.”
“Conflict with the Demon Cult will be inevitable.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Hearing those words, Ok-ryeong sighed deeply and stroked her forehead as if she had a headache. Then, she calmed herself down and continued.
“I knew you would say this, so I came myself.”
“What is the Lord of the Haoh Gate saying….”
Ok-ryeong looked at Ak Mujin.
“I would not recommend direct intervention, but… there has always been friction with the Demon Cult. Especially after Lord Jin took office, it would not be strange if a fight broke out at any time.”
The way she said that was quite resigned. She continued naturally.
“But if you really want to protect a Demon Cult in the Sandow Union, you must be well prepared for what is to come. It would be good to inform each leader under the Sandow Union of this matter and prepare for it.”
When Ok-ryeong said this much, Ak Mujin naturally knew what she was telling him to prepare for. If this happened, wouldn’t it be right before the outbreak of the Great War between Justice and Evil? Ak Mujin didn’t know what the wise thing to do was. Should innocent people be swept away to protect one person, Chun-wol?
But Jin Geum-ryeon only nodded as if it were nothing. Ak Mujin finally said heavily.
“It’s okay if you just give me a clue to find Chun-wol. I don’t want to get you involved in unnecessary things….”
“We are only talking about preparing for a future that may or may not exist, and we will move as carefully as possible. It is not something for outsiders to worry about. And what can an individual do alone in a matter involving the Demon Cult?”
Ok-ryeong spoke before Jin Geum-ryeon could. Her cold and sharp criticism pierced Ak Mujin’s heart. She was right. Even if he was full of enthusiasm, there was nothing Ak Mujin could do in his current state.
“Just as the Sandow Union values Lord, those whom Lord values are also under the protection of the Sandow Union. If you go wrong, Lord will wander around in a daze again.”
Ok-ryeong said with a sigh as if she couldn’t help it. That was because the Haoh Gate had been the most worn out in the three years that Jin Geum-ryeon had been looking for Ak Mujin, so she was quite tired of it. One of Jin Geum-ryeon’s eyebrows went up, but Ok-ryeong coughed once after feeling that gaze and pointed to the map.