["Honestly, you. Are you really thinking about getting a weapon fitted for a child that hasn't even been born yet?"]

In the darkness, a smile flickered on the lips of the woman speaking.

Though she spoke as if it were pathetic, Ak Byeongbi found her expression so lovely that he bantered back.

["Because it's our child, yours and mine. They'll probably become the number one in the world. For a child like that, preparing it now is actually quite late."]

The woman shook her head, as if she couldn't stop him.

["Just how heavy a burden are you planning to place on our child, dear?"]

In truth, Ak Byeongbi didn't expect anything grand for the child either.

He merely wondered what he could give the soon-to-be-born child to express his overwhelming emotions.

Even he thought it was a bit pathetic that his conclusion had been a weapon.

The woman tenderly stroked her belly.

["I just want our child to live a healthy and happy life."]

["Hmm... Then what should I prepare? Should I buy some land or a guest house?"]

["Oh, honestly..."]

Ak Byeongbi loved seeing the woman shake her head in fond reproach, telling him he had no idea what was truly important.

He loved that gaze that looked at him as if he were pathetic.

He simply loved that radiant face that smiled at him as if she had the whole world.

["All you have to do is stay by my side."]

Was that really enough?

Could they truly live happily with just that?

["Yes. That alone is enough. For me and our child."]

...

...

...

["But..."]

Blood flowed from the woman's mouth.

["But... you..."]

Blood began to pour heavily from between her legs.

["You can't even do that..."]

The woman reached out her hand in resentment as she collapsed to the floor.

Ak Byeongbi tried to run to her like a madman, but he couldn't move an inch, trapped by the chains constricting his entire body.

["Hehehe... Incompetent fool..."]

Gu Gye-ak, who had obscured the woman's figure, looked at Ak Byeongbi as if he were pathetic.

At that gaze, a fire ignited in Ak Byeongbi's eyes.

"You bastard...! You bastard...!"

["Live your whole life carrying regret and despair."]

"Gu Gye-ak!!!"

CLANK, CLANK.

He tried to struggle by drawing up all his internal energy, but his body wouldn't move.

* * *

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.

Ak Byeongbi began to convulse so violently that the entire bed shook.

The physicians and medical women all rushed in to hold him down, but Ak Byeongbi would not calm down.

"Paralysis acupoints! Press his paralysis acupoints!"

"It's not working, Doctor!"

"It seems he's using his innate true qi..."

"Crazy!"

They had heard tales of martial artists occasionally using their energy even while unconscious, but someone using innate true qi was a first.

Just what was making this patient struggle so desperately?

"It cannot be helped."

At that moment, Tang Seo-hee, who had been waiting as his guardian, uncrossed her arms and stepped forward.

"I will try."

The physician shook his head.

"Neither medicine nor acupuncture is working on the patient right now! Step aside."

"I know because I have seen it as well. However..."

Three small mother-of-pearl bottles and three long acupuncture needles appeared from Tang Seo-hee's robes.

"We have not tried using poison yet."

"What? What do you... If you do that, this patient will..."

"I will use just enough so he does not die. Therefore... there is no need to worry."

As Tang Seo-hee made a fanning gesture with her hand, the physicians and medical women stepped back simultaneously.

With his eyes rolled back and only the whites showing, Ak Byeongbi looked ready to explode his true qi and fall into qi deviation at any moment.

With cold, settled eyes, Tang Seo-hee began to move her hands.

"We have been put in a very difficult situation. You cannot die like this."

The White-Handed Divine Maiden's hands began to move.

The physicians and medical women witnessed firsthand why the moniker of 'Hundred Hands' was attached to her martial title.

* * *

Day two since the incident occurred.

The number of people outside the quarters had increased even more.

Beyond the original guards, there were now people loitering around the pavilion.

There were people from the Hwangsa Sect, as well as those whose qi signatures I was feeling for the first time.

"The number of people is gradually increasing."

At my words, Hyeoltu, who was looking at a Baduk game record, clicked his tongue.

"Weren't they already kids with a lot of complaints against the Murim Alliance? A good spark has just been ignited."

"Still, if it's you, Elder Hyeoltu, you should be able to take them all on, right?"

"Eh?"

What do you mean, 'Eh?' Then why are you even here?

"Didn't you come here to protect us?"

"Well, on the surface, yes, but wouldn't the bigger purpose be to monitor you so you can't run away?"

"..."

Even if we were both vaguely aware of the hidden circumstances, people usually didn't say such things out loud.

I only brought it up for no reason and ruined my mood.

Anyway, just waiting around like this was dangerous.

We didn't know what kind of decision would be made within the Underworld Alliance, and if we just sat still waiting for that decision, we might miss the timing to respond.

"Please let me meet the leader of the Underworld Alliance."

"Huh? Why are you telling me that?"

"Because right now, you are the only person I can ask for help, Sir Hyeoltu."

"Help?"

Hyeoltu chuckled but didn't take his eyes off the game record.

"Do you think I have that kind of authority?"

"The great Hyeoltu isn't an idiot; there's no way you would submissively follow the Underworld Alliance just because the organization was formed, right? You probably made your way here at the personal request of the leader of the Underworld Alliance, didn't you?"

Hyeoltu's eyebrows twitched.

"You're a perceptive bastard. So you're truly different from the other rising stars, is that it?"

Speaking words I couldn't quite understand, Hyeoltu asked suggestively.

"What are you planning to do if you meet him?"

"I need to solve the problem."

"Problem?"

I had even regressed to get here.

I didn't even have the certainty that a third life was guaranteed.

Therefore, in a place like this—

"I can't just die like this, can I?"

"Hoh?"

Hyeoltu's gaze turned to me for the first time.

"Are you saying that even if you die, you'll fight tooth and nail until the very end?"

"Why are you so sure I'm going to die already?"

"If not, whatever."

As if completely uninterested, Hyeoltu looked back at the record and started placing Baduk stones again.

So it's none of his business anyway, is that it?

"Then how about making a bet with me?"

I stared at the Baduk game record in his hand.

Seemingly intrigued, Hyeoltu looked up at me.

"A bet?"

"If I win ten games of Baduk, please arrange a meeting with the leader of the Underworld Alliance."

"Haha, I treat you nicely, and now you try to grab me by the hair! In that case—"

Chuckling, Hyeoltu suddenly dropped his smile.

"What will you give me if you lose?"

I didn't avoid his gaze.

"What do you want?"

A smile crept back onto Hyeoltu's lips.

"Your life."

Ilmyeong, who had been facing the wall in meditation in the corner, whipped his head around.

"Benefactor Jin!"

Soon, Hyeoltu's cold voice weighed down the air.

"If you don't want to, then stay quiet. Even the arrogance you've shown so far has made my mood quite uncomfortable."

Before I knew it, Ilmyeong came over, grabbed my arm, and pulled it.

I shook off his hand and stepped forward.

"Alright."

"What?"

"Benefactor Jin!"

I raised my hand, stopping Ilmyeong from speaking.

"Instead, if I win, you must keep your promise."

"..."

Hyeoltu's expression became more emotionless than ever.

"Do my words sound like a joke to you?"

"Not at all."

"Or do you not value your own life?"

"Neither."

I sat down across from him and looked straight into his eyes.

"I just have no intention of foolishly waiting for death."

"..."

I then organized the Baduk stones and picked up a white stone.

Quietly following my movements, Hyeoltu leaned forward.

"I don't hate an arrogant bastard. But I never just sit and watch a conceited one."

Hyeoltu took the white stone from me.

"I won't take your life. However, I will take your left arm instead."

If my right arm was cut off, I wouldn't be able to use my sword, but if my left arm was cut off, I would lose the Jade Dragon Bracelet.

But right now, there was no other alternative I could choose.

"... Understood."

"Benefactor Jin!"

I looked at Ilmyeong, gave a small shake of my head, and then placed a black stone on the Baduk board.

The match started in an instant.

Hyeoltu's eyes settled calmly.

"Yeom Gwibi."

"Yes."

"Grab his left arm."

"Hmm... It can't be helped. Even without an arm, my husband will still be my husband."

SWISH, CLINK.

In an instant, Yeom Gwibi unfastened the ornament she wore around her waist, and with a swishing sound, it wrapped around my left arm.

Was that thing around her waist a soft sword?

"Your right hand will be enough for Baduk, right?"

"... I look forward to our match."

CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK.

Only the sound of moving Baduk stones echoed in the room.

"It isn't known to the world, but I have multiple identities."

CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK.

My speed was one thing, but the speed at which Hyeoltu placed the stones was formidable.

"One of them is the identity of the Imperial Knight 'Doa'."

My hand stopped abruptly.

To think the name 'Doa'—the former Baduk master of the Imperial Family and creator of countless profound game records—would pop out here.

Hyeoltu also paused his hand for a moment and looked across at me.

"Do you know of Doa?"

Since I too had initially learned Baduk through 'Doa's' game records, I couldn't forget his name even if I tried.

"... These are truly the end times. To think Hyeoltu was Doa... How did you not get caught? It would have been discovered right away that you were an Underworld figure."

"They simply couldn't cast me out. My skills were too precious to push away just because I was of the Underworld."

CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK.

The speed returned to normal once more.

Neither Hyeoltu nor I yielded in the slightest in the speed of our play.

Having revealed his identity, Hyeoltu asked me, as if showing generosity.

"Do you now understand who you've made a bet with?"

"... Yes."

"Apologize even now and stay quiet. Then, in exchange for being your opponent, I won't take your arm."

To think an Underworld figure had tolerance. It was truly surprising. However.

I shook my head without a shred of hesitation.

"Let's continue the bet."

"... What?"

"Because, as I said, I can't just die like this."

Honestly, I had no confidence in beating him in martial arts.

Unless it was a life-or-death battle.

Escape his grasp?

It would be easier to escape the palm of Buddha. At least Buddha doesn't smash heads, right?

But Baduk was different from martial arts.

"And besides, I'm quite confident when it comes to Baduk."

I began to bring out all the tens of thousands of Baduk game records stored in the archive in my mind.

* * *

Upon hearing that Ak Byeongbi had awakened, Hwang Bushik headed to the quarters where the delegation was staying.

Normally, it was a matter that required a separate report, but he had been considerate enough to let them at least share their final goodbyes among themselves.

'In any case, it's as good as owing a debt to the Black Flame Dragon.'

Arriving at the quarters, Hwang Bushik frowned at the Underworld figures who had set up camp nearby and were exuding murderous intent.

Those fools who prioritized their own emotions over procedure had hurriedly taken their positions here even before any decision came down from the Underworld Alliance's command.

These idiots didn't realize in the slightest that this was exactly why they always lost out to the Orthodox sects.

"Clear those bastards out."

"Yes."

At Hwang Bushik's command, the iron-clad warriors simultaneously dispersed the Underworld figures gathered near the quarters.

Though there was some minor resistance, no one raised a direct rebellion just yet.

But how long would this situation last?

Even though Gu Gye-ak, who was practically the head of the pro-war faction, had died, public opinion within the Underworld Alliance had actually shifted more strongly toward the pro-war faction.

Those who had only been watching from behind Gu Gye-ak started stepping out one by one to build their own influence, while the pro-peace faction members often lost whatever little ground they had and were pushed back.

At this rate, a real war might break out.

Shaking his head to brush away his thoughts, Hwang Bushik entered the delegation's quarters.

Contrary to his expectation that they would have been waiting for him...

The delegation group and the monitors were gathered in one place, their heads together, despite him walking in.

'Baduk?'

Puzzled, Hwang Bushik quickly approached.

Hyeoltu and Jin Sowoon were playing a match, and Yeom Gwibi was wrapping Jin Sowoon's left arm with her hidden weapon, a soft sword.

CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK.

Hyeoltu's Baduk skills were famous even within the Underworld Murim, but what surprised Hwang Bushik was actually Jin Sowoon's movements.

He was matching Hyeoltu's speed, placing stones without slowing down, as if performing a sword dance.

CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK. CLACK.

Although Hwang Bushik only knew the basic rules of Baduk, he could clearly tell that the moves the two were exchanging were far from ordinary.

'Still, he won't be able to beat Elder Hyeoltu.'

Though he didn't know the full story, Hwang Bushik couldn't help but sigh upon realizing that Jin Sowoon was at risk of having his arm cut off.

Hyeoltu was famous for always collecting the price in his bets.

Jin Sowoon's arm was as good as gone.

'Is this as far as he goes.'

Rising stars often overestimated their abilities like this and ultimately collapsed.

It was incredibly unfortunate that the Black Flame Dragon, whom he thought would be different, was following the same path as the other rising stars.

He stepped closer to the board to see how the game was playing out.

The two had been placing Baduk stones without rest for quite some time.

The one to pause their hand first was Hyeoltu.

'Hmm? Ha...!'

Looking vexed, Hyeoltu couldn't take his eyes off Jin Sowoon's face.

TREMBLE.

Hyeoltu's body began to tremble slightly.

Hwang Bushik felt absolutely astounded.

Hyeoltu was an absolute expert at an unfathomably high realm even back when Hwang Bushik was a child.

His face, which was always brimming with leisure, had frozen stiff.

It was a sight hard to believe even when seeing it with his own eyes.

'... He cornered Elder Hyeoltu in Baduk?'

How many Baduk players could fluster a man who had very few rivals in the Underworld Murim... no, in the entire Jianghu?

Hyeoltu's angry voice sliced through the air.

"Just how did you do that?"

"I didn't do anything special. It's just skill."

He didn't know Baduk well, but from the atmosphere, he could tell Jin Sowoon had the advantage.

"..."

After glaring at Jin Sowoon for a long time, Hyeoltu sighed and placed two Baduk stones on the board.

Two stones placed together, meaning he conceded defeat.

The soft sword wrapped around Jin Sowoon's arm uncoiled, and Hyeoltu hung his head.

"I've achieved all ten wins. Please keep your promise."

"I understand."

He didn't just win one game, but ten?

Spotting Hwang Bushik's dumbfounded expression, Jin Sowoon spoke.

"Has the Delegation Head awakened?"

"... Huh? Y-Yes."

"May we go now?"

"Ahem. Yes, let's go."

An absolute expert with his head bowed.

In contrast, the rising star who was just beginning to shine walked outside with his shoulders proudly squared.

Somehow, Hwang Bushik felt this bizarre sight was natural.

* * *

Ak Byeongbi's condition looked serious even to me, who had no professional knowledge.

An ashen face.

Eyelids that looked burned black.

The physician said that Tang Seo-hee had forcibly awakened someone who normally wouldn't have been able to wake up.

He certainly didn't look well.

Still, now was not the time to be considerate of this man's condition.

Because of this man, we were all in danger of dying too.

"Why did you do it?"

Ak Byeongbi weakly raised his head and looked at me with dead eyes.

In those eyes, veined like a spiderweb, swirled complex emotions such as remorse, regret, and despair.

"I..."

He parted his dry lips and spat out a rough voice.

"I didn't do it."

"Right now... is not a situation where you can escape danger with lies."

"..."

I snapped at him as he clamped his mouth shut again.

"It's not just the Delegation Head's life, but the lives of the entire delegation on the line."

This incident would absolutely not end with just Ak Byeongbi's life.

It would affect the delegation, and furthermore, the Murim Alliance and the warriors dispatched to Sichuan.

It meant he had messed up royally.

"That's the situation we are in."

Unable to even open his eyes properly, Ak Byeongbi squeezed out his voice.

"Is 'that bastard' definitely dead?"

"Anyone could see it was the traces of the Ak Clan's Blazing Fire Spear."

Ak Byeongbi hung his head, falling silent for a long time as if deep in remorse.

Then, he suddenly lifted his head.

"If it can be settled with just my life, then I don't care. However... I definitely didn't do it."

"..."

At this completely unexpected story, Ilmyeong and Tang Seo-hee, as well as myself, tightly shut our mouths.

"I've wished and hoped for it a hundred, a thousand times. I promised myself over and over that if the moment ever came when I could cast aside everything I carry on my back... I would run straight to the Hwangsa Sect without a moment's hesitation, no matter when that was. But...!"

His voice, dry, cracked, and grating like metal scratching against metal, echoed loudly enough to hurt the ears.

"I truly didn't do it this time!"

"Can you swear on it?"

"... I swear on the Ak Clan's honor..."

I quietly stared down into his bloodshot eyes.

"No, not that. Stake something more precious."

Ak Byeongbi glared at me with a murderous look.

GRIND.

Gritting his teeth, he barely spat out.

"... I can say it on the lives of my dead wife and my unborn child."

Blood looked ready to spill from his lips at any moment.

"... This unworthy father couldn't even achieve revenge with his own hands."

He looked as though he wished he had actually exacted revenge with his own hands.

Watching this, I couldn't doubt him any longer.

"Then what about your wounds, Delegation Head?"

"I don't know. I thought you guys had returned, so I was just drinking alcohol, but then my side burned, and I collapsed just like that."

If I were to take Ak Byeongbi's words at face value, someone had separately ambushed both Gu Gye-ak and Ak Byeongbi to make those around them believe Ak Byeongbi had assassinated Gu Gye-ak...

Did that realistically make sense?

It made more sense that Ak Byeongbi, driven by vengeance, took up his spear and blasted a hole in Gu Gye-ak's chest.

However, for some reason, I found myself trusting Ak Byeongbi's words more, despite him only showing us his pathetic side.

"This is driving me crazy."

Ilmyeong's and Tang Seo-hee's expressions weren't much different from mine.

Being as sharp as they were, they knew better than anyone just how serious this situation was.

Just then, Ak Byeongbi opened his mouth.

"If the situation cannot be resolved, pass all the blame onto me."

"..."

"And make sure that the Murim Alliance doesn't suffer any damage by any means. ... You should be able to do it."

What the hell is this man talking about? How am I supposed to do something that difficult...

NOD.

Ak Byeongbi bowed his head.

"... What are you doing?"

"I am begging you. If you can just do that, I will speak to my clan so you can receive sufficient compensation."

What's this? Why is this old man suddenly acting out of character?

"If you were attacked, someone else has used underhanded tricks to trap you, Delegation Head. Aren't you feeling wronged?"

"I can't put you, the Murim Alliance, and the warriors in Sichuan in danger just to clear my own grievances, can I."

Ak Byeongbi looked straight into my eyes.

"Besides, since I ultimately got my revenge no matter how it happened, I have no more lingering attachments to life. So use me as a scapegoat as much as you need, and move forward."

"You're saying something terrible."

"Jin Sowoon!"

Having called my name with all his might, he spoke in a heavy voice.

"You cannot move forward while resolving every single absurdity and contradiction in the world. Sometimes, you just have to shoulder some things and keep moving. And—"

His eyes flashed brightly.

"Now is exactly one of those times."

"..."

"Therefore, move forward. Neither I nor the Ak Clan will resent you or hold you responsible for this matter."

Just because a man I absolutely despised suddenly said something like this didn't make him look any prettier.

In the first place, I had no intention of moving forward by resolving every absurdity and contradiction in the world like he said.

However.

"I will only think about that when a bigger problem arises."

"Jin Sowoon!"

I patted Ak Byeongbi's shoulder as he barely held himself up, drained of energy.

"For this incident, all we have to do is find the culprit who ambushed both you and Gu Gye-ak, isn't that right?"

I had no intention of taking the easy way out from the start.

And there was no way a path like that could be the right answer anyway.

"So don't worry. I swear I will definitely catch the culprit."

"..."

I declared my firm resolve.

"On my grandfather's honor!"

Ak Byeongbi gritted his teeth and whipped his head away.

"..."

Just as I was about to leave Ak Byeongbi to collect his emotions.

Tang Seo-hee, who had been watching in silence, tilted her head.

"Is your grandfather a famous constable?"

"... No, he worked as an escort warrior in Anhui Province."

Her head tilted even further to the side.

"... Then why did you stake your grandfather's honor?"

I just shrugged my shoulders once.

"Because he's the only one in my family who's even somewhat famous."

"..."

Ak Byeongbi, who had turned his head away, and Ilmyeong both looked at me with dumbfounded eyes.

Tsk.

Goodness, asking about something that isn't even important and ruining a perfectly good atmosphere.