Yeah, honestly, I admit it.

My actions were a bit excessive.

To the ideological inquisitor who was possessed by the demon of doubt, I must have obviously looked like either an Underworld spy or a traitorous bastard who could switch sides at any moment.

Otherwise, why would I throw my life away for the Chief Strategist of enemy forces who was practically an enemy?

Honestly, even I would think, 'Just how much bribe money did that bastard take to throw his life away like that?'

But from my perspective, wouldn't it be unfair?

I mean, did I really want to risk my life?

How was I supposed to know that damn Je Geumhak bastard was the Yin-Yang Twin Demon?

Of course, knowing that wouldn't mean I wouldn't punish him, but I still would have tried to find another method rather than fighting him head-on.

I wouldn't have tried to earn Dam-ak's favor by creating such a dramatic situation.

"Why is there no answer?"

Still, wasn't it going a bit too far to ask me, the greatest contributor to the peace treaty between the Underworld Alliance and the Murim Alliance, if I was planning to join the Underworld?

I had crossed the line too, but Ak Byeongbi had crossed it hard.

As I stared at him with an absurd look, the wrinkles between Ak Byeongbi's brow deepened further.

"Are you really planning to join them?"

Seeing him shoot a glaring look with his fierce impression, it seemed like he was just waiting for me to say yes.

This damn guy.

"What are you talking about? Why would I join them?"

Ak Byeongbi's eyes twitched.

Since his wounds had long healed, it didn't seem to be because of a lack of blood, and it seemed like he was having useless other thoughts in his head...

I needed to nip this in the bud.

"Why would I, a disciple of a legitimate Orthodox sect, join something like the Underworld Alliance?"

"... Legitimate?"

What's with that? That unpleasant expression.

I didn't back down and showed him an unpleasant expression as well.

"If you go by history, the Taiyi Sect is older than the Ak Clan."

"..."

Ak Byeongbi made a startled expression for a moment before returning to his unpleasant look.

"Orthodox sect?"

When it comes to walking the orthodox path, there is no comparison to the Taiyi Sect.

Because for five hundred years, they had never expanded their influence or gained power.

... But why are tears coming to my eyes over this?

I shrugged my shoulders.

"If you're talking about being clean, is there any sect that can compare to the Taiyi Sect?"

"... That is why I am asking. As the Leader said, will you join the Underworld Alliance and enjoy wealth and glory..."

"At the point of joining the Underworld Alliance, wouldn't I already be far from wealth and glory?"

Ak Byeongbi stared at me silently for a long time.

Honestly, it wasn't that I wasn't anxious.

Even if Ak Byeongbi had no ulterior motives, if the things I had done in the Underworld Alliance were known to the Murim Alliance and the Murim Academy in the first place, it would cause a massive uproar.

Probably, those people possessed by the demon of doubt would show up with bloodshot eyes and interrogate me, claiming that since my hair was black, I must have been tainted by the Underworld.

And the ideological inquisitor standing right in front of me would be at the forefront of those paranoid people.

The ideological inquisitor nodded his head.

"I see."

Even so, I had no intention of showing a subservient attitude.

I would just let those red-eyed bastards live their lives like that.

I am proud of my actions.

"So you have no intention of joining the Underworld Alliance in the future either..."

"None. Because I'm going to become incredibly successful in the Murim Alliance and turn the Taiyi Sect into a sect on par with the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Noble Clans."

"..."

Ah, did I go a bit too far with this?

Ak Byeongbi, who had been looking at me with suspicious eyes just moments ago, put on a pathetic expression.

Damn it, why? This makes me feel even worse.

"I don't see that as being possible, but..."

"What?"

When I glared at him like a wildcat, Ak Byeongbi let out a dry cough.

"Ahem. Anyway, if that's the case, I understand. Make sure you don't change your mind in the future either."

Huh?

"Pardon?"

What is this? Why is the ideological inquisitor making such a warm expression over there?

"Just as I said. In the future, countless people who envy and are jealous of you will slander and tear you down."

Wait, wasn't he the one who took the lead in doing that the most seriously?

Why is he acting like he wasn't now...

I decided to listen for now.

"Thinking about the actions you've taken, there's no better material for them to bite into."

Before I knew it, Ak Byeongbi's face had turned serious.

"Even so, do not act with duplicity and step onto the wrong path while drunk on immediate gains or emotions."

"..."

"The orthodox path is inherently a difficult one, and it is a painful endeavor. Those who turn their eyes away from that pain... blind themselves, trapped in stubbornness and justifying their actions."

Ak Byeongbi stared into empty space, as if regretting his past.

"Such people cannot even recognize the fact that they are walking down the wrong path."

Ak Byeongbi spoke as if he were talking about someone else, but anyone listening could easily tell that it was about himself.

"Therefore, even if it is painful and agonizing, continue walking that path. If you do..."

Pausing for a moment, Ak Byeongbi clenched both of his hands into fists.

"Those who believe in you and help you will surely appear."

Then, staring straight into my eyes, he added in a voice full of conviction.

"Since they appeared even for a guy like me, this is for certain."

Soon turning his head away, Ak Byeongbi's ears were dyed red.

He must have felt a rush of embarrassment from saying things that didn't suit him.

I let out a soft laugh and asked back.

"Does that mean you've confirmed that I'm not an Underworld spy?"

"... Ahem, you were never a spy to begin with."

"What kind of nonsense..."

"Anyway, just know that. And..."

Ak Byeongbi deeply bowed his reddened face.

What is this? Why is he fidgeting with his hands?

What else is he trying to say...

"Thank you for not giving up."

For a moment, I was at a loss for words.

At this point, I also had a final thing to confirm.

"Um, could I confirm one thing?"

Ak Byeongbi obediently nodded his head.

"Alright. In the future, the Inspection Pavilion will never suspect you of being an Underworld spy. I promise this on my name as the Third Hall Leader."

No, that's not what's important right now.

"Yes, yes, understood. But that's not what I was asking."

I stared intently at his face and asked.

"Um... Could I pull on your face once?"

"?"

You know, to check if it's a human skin mask.

No matter how I look at it, he doesn't seem like the ideological inquisitor I know.

"I'll just pull it slightly."

"..."

With lightning-like speed, Ak Byeongbi's face crumpled like a piece of paper.

* * *

Entering the inner room, Ilmyeong tilted his head upon seeing Ak Byeongbi's face.

He had clearly just been having a 'conversation' with Jin Sowoon, so why were both of his cheeks flushed red?

"Delegation Head, did something happen?"

"... No."

It didn't look like nothing happened...

"Your cheeks..."

"I said no!"

"..."

Ak Byeongbi barked loudly like an angry puppy.

Seeing him glare with fiery, blazing eyes, Ilmyeong kept his mouth shut tightly.

Could it be that the conversation didn't go well?

"By any chance... are you still suspecting him?"

"Suspecting him?"

If not that, then why were his cheeks burning bright red?

Ilmyeong took Ak Byeongbi's gaze head-on and nodded his head.

"That friend Jin Sowoon's methods may be a bit rough, but you can't say that the color of his heart is black as well, can you?"

"..."

Jin Sowoon merely lacked a background that could protect and support him.

Both Monk Cheongwon of the main temple and the Breaking Sword of the Moyong Noble Clan were incredibly rough in their actions, but no one in Jianghu doubted their essence as members of the Orthodox faction.

For Ilmyeong, it was lamentable that worldly people judged a person by only looking at their outer shell with wicked eyes.

Just then.

"I know too. I know what kind of guy he is."

"Excuse me?"

Unexpected words burst from Ak Byeongbi's mouth.

"He is... like a giant serpent swimming upstream against a waterfall. He is a being who can't help but catch people's eyes every time he leaps."

"..."

"I too only looked at the outer shell of a guy who had not yet become a dragon, which was why I suspected him. I didn't even consider looking at what his goals and essence were."

Eventually, Ak Byeongbi slightly bowed his head and murmured.

"... I am reflecting on all of it."

Suddenly, Ilmyeong felt that Ak Byeongbi's face had changed a lot.

He couldn't exactly say what had changed, but it felt a bit more relaxed and resolute.

"Perhaps the reason his actions were so uncomfortable to us was because we... no, perhaps everyone has already lost much of their essence."

Ak Byeongbi raised one eye and looked at Ilmyeong.

"Did Little Buddha also think that way, which is why you obediently followed Jin Sowoon? Otherwise, the world-renowned Little Buddha wouldn't just be running errands for someone. You didn't even do that next to Yong So-ah."

"... Amitabha."

Before long, a relieved smile appeared on Ak Byeongbi's lips.

"Do not worry. I will no longer suspect him. No, from now on, it will be my job to suspect those who suspect him."

Ilmyeong quietly closed his eyes.

An enlightened one brightens the eyes of those around them and guides them to the right path just by their very existence.

Yong So-ah also belonged to the enlightened ones, but his trajectory was different.

While Yong So-ah directly held hands and guided the way, Jin Sowoon forcefully forced their eyes open and made them find the path themselves.

"Amitabha..."

Ilmyeong found himself deeply pondering which kind of hero was truly needed in the current era.

Just then, Ak Byeongbi muttered to himself.

"... Anyway, I've rid myself of my doubts. That's a relief at least."

Then, Ak Byeongbi rubbed his cheeks with both hands as if they hurt.

"..."

Ilmyeong once again wondered why both of Ak Byeongbi's cheeks were swollen red.

* * *

"Where is Elder Hyeoltu?"

Where on earth was this man holed up that I couldn't see him?

"Oh my, Young Master Jin. It seems you've woken up? I had something to say to you anyway."

Yeom Gwibi subtly reached out her hand while exuding a captivating scent.

I pushed her hand away and spoke.

"What could you possibly have to say..."

"What kind of talk do you think a man and woman who have gone through hardships together would have?"

Yeom Gwibi twisted her body as if embarrassed and touched her lips.

As that somewhat captivating scent grew stronger, my nose began to sting a little.

I frowned unconsciously and asked back.

It absolutely wasn't because Yeom Gwibi was spouting nonsense. It was because my nose hurt. My nose.

"What weird things are you trying to say again..."

"Anyway, you and I crossed the threshold of life and death together, Young Master Jin. Shouldn't we do something to commemorate that? Fufu."

Yeom Gwibi placed her arm on my shoulder and breathed into my ear.

Wait, why is this grandma acting like this?

"What, are you trying to take credit or something?"

When I lowered Yeom Gwibi's burdensome arm and took a step back, Yeom Gwibi made a dumbfounded expression.

"... Why isn't it working?"

At her muttering, I hurriedly checked my body.

What is it? Did she do something to me in the meantime?

"Wasn't the Taiyi Sect's martial art a hodgepodge mental cultivation method that mixed this and that?"

For some reason, her voice seemed to have turned cold.

I took another step back and retorted.

"... How could you say such a thing to a legitimate Daoist sect."

"Was that old man Hyeoltu right? Tsk."

As if the mask she was wearing had been discovered, Yeom Gwibi plopped down into a seat with a dejected expression.

Soon, she started chugging from a liquor bottle like a rough man.

What on earth had happened?

"What's the matter?"

"Forget it. Trying hard on a guy it doesn't even work on will only exhaust my body."

"... Where is Elder Hyeoltu?"

Yeom Gwibi waved her hand dismissively as if she was annoyed.

"Go to the small training ground back there. He's been drinking straight from the bottle over there since morning."

Her gaze wasn't pleasant, as if her mood had been completely ruined.

And here I thought we were getting along pretty well in our own way.

"Thank you."

Not understanding what was going on, I lightly bowed my head and turned around.

And then.

The moment I grabbed the doorknob to leave the inner room.

CRUNCH!

... I heard the sound of something shattering.

When I lowered my head, the doorknob that should have been attached to the door had fallen into my hand.

'Again...'

I don't even know how many times this has happened.

I turned my head and looked at Yeom Gwibi, and although she didn't seem to care much.

Surely she wouldn't tattle on me to Dam-ak later, right?

Dam-ak is only human too, so he wouldn't send a bill to his lifesaver.

'But if he still does...'

I'll be at the Murim Academy by then, so I can just ignore it.

Having made my calculations, I carefully closed the door and stepped out as if nothing had happened.

After roughly handling my urgent matters, this was exactly the reason why I went straight to look for Hyeoltu.

The vitality overflowing throughout my body. My completely uncontrollable physical body.

The circulation of my qi was also unusual.

While previously I had to concentrate for my Dantian to move, now my Dantian moved rapidly just by extending my will.

'Just what the hell did they do?'

Even to me, it felt like I should have died in the battle against the Yin-Yang Twin Demon.

Judging by the amount of blood I had shed, it was such a massive amount that it wouldn't have been strange if I was crossing the threshold of the afterlife and bowing to King Yama.

However, rather than experiencing muscular side effects and abnormalities in my body, my body was instead brimming with even more vitality.

Neither the physician nor Tang Seo-hee could figure out what had happened to my body.

They simply told me to ask Hyeoltu if I was curious.

If it hadn't been for those words, I would have just let it be, but I couldn't hold back my anxiety at the thought that he might have cast some kind of sorcery on my body.

I had something to talk to him about anyway, so I was looking for him to find out exactly what he had done to my body.

As soon as I entered the training ground, I saw a man humming to himself.

"So you were here."

"... Eh?"

Hyeoltu, who was drinking alone in the center of the training ground with scattered liquor bottles as his friends, raised one eye.

"What's this? Why is a lackey of the Orthodox faction holding his head up high right in front of my eyes?"

"..."

Is he drunk?

"I came because I have something to ask. Shall I come back next time?"

"Hmph! A lackey of the Orthodox faction is going to come back to see this highly renowned Elder Hyeoltu of the Underworld? Do you even think that's possible?"

Yep, he's drunk.

Whether I glared at him with an incredibly pathetic look or not, Hyeoltu pointed at me with his liquor bottle and shouted.

"Alright, fine! Let's hear it then. What are you curious about?"

"There are two things, and one of them is about my body."

"Okay."

Hyeoltu obediently nodded his head.

As if etching my face into his mind, I stared straight at him and asked.

"What exactly did you do to my body?"

"Huh?"

CRUNCH!

As soon as I snatched the liquor bottle from Hyeoltu's hand and lightly squeezed it, the bottle crumbled without a trace.

"I can't control my body. I'm on the verge of breaking every single doorknob in the Underworld Alliance, and a pile of tableware is thrown away every time I eat a meal."

At my words, Hyeoltu let out a gloomy laugh.

"Ehehehehe."

Wait, this old man.

I'm being completely serious right now, you know?

"This isn't the time to laugh. Don't you know better than anyone how important control of the body is for a martial artist?"

However, Hyeoltu grabbed another liquor bottle and scolded me.

"How can I not laugh when a foolish brat holds a lump of gold in his hands and doesn't even know its value?"

"... A lump of gold?"

Hyeoltu chugged the liquor straight from the bottle without resting, as if his stomach were churning.

Judging just by the number of liquor bottles scattered around, it seemed he had already passed his limit...

Isn't that old man going to collapse at this rate?

"Keuha...! I didn't do anything. Your body simply changed on its own."

"... Is that possible?"

Hyeoltu let out a soft laugh as he watched me tilt my head in confusion.

"That is why it is called a fortuitous encounter, is it not?"

"A fortuitous encounter?"

"Yes... An incredible fortuitous encounter that an ordinary martial artist, no, even an exceptional guy would have a hard time coming across."

I looked at him and asked seriously.

"So, what exactly is this fortuitous encounter I had?"

Hyeoltu, who was about to bring the liquor bottle to his mouth again, stopped his movements and quietly looked at me.

I also held my breath and focused all my attention on his moving lips.

Soon, his lips parted with a faint smile.

"Shedding the Mortal Body and Exchanging Bones."

At his words, a thrill spread through my entire body, running down my spine.