Only Geukak Soma was visible in the Cheonhwaru Lord’s eyes.
Everything around her vanished, leaving only the sight of Geukak Soma walking toward her against a white background.
“You’ve come, Brother?”
The martial artists of Cheonhwaru burst into cheers of joy. They did not know Geukak Soma’s true identity, but they knew he was the only person the Cheonhwaru Lord called Brother.
At that moment, Baekdo moved like lightning and hid behind the Cheonhwaru Lord. He quickly drew his blade and pressed it to her throat.
“Stop! If you come any closer, this wench dies!”
Geukak Soma halted his steps.
Using the Cheonhwaru Lord as a shield, Baekdo poked his head out slightly and glared at Geukak Soma. The two eyes behind Geukak Soma’s mask were smiling.
The blade Baekdo held to the Cheonhwaru Lord’s throat trembled violently. Until now, he had committed countless abductions and murders on Yeobulge’s orders, but he had never once felt fear in the process. Raised as a killing machine that knew no fear, he was now feeling fear. This emotion was unfamiliar even to him.
“Who are you?”
Then, instead of answering, Geukak Soma looked at the Cheonhwaru Lord. At his gaze asking if she was alright, she smiled even more brightly.
“Who else would come to save a courtesan? My husband, of course.”
Though he heard the word husband, Geukak Soma’s eyes were smiling.
Meanwhile, Baekdo could not understand.
That the Black Blade was killed by the husband of some brothel keeper? That he himself had to resort to taking a hostage? That he was feeling terror for the first time in his life? Ridiculous!
Geukak Soma spoke lowly.
“Close your eyes.”
The Cheonhwaru Lord closed her eyes.
The moment she closed her eyes!
Fwoosh!
Baekdo’s exposed ear flew off with a sickening smack.
The very moment Baekdo tried to slash the Cheonhwaru Lord’s throat without hesitation.
Thwack!
His elbow was pierced. The finger wind flew precisely toward a place that would pass through his body without harming her.
He gritted his teeth, trying to slash her throat, but—
Thud!
This time, the back of the hand holding the blade was pierced. The finger wind that pierced the back of his hand struck the sword’s hilt, so she was not harmed.
He really hadn’t known that attacks could be launched with such precision and delicacy.
The instant Baekdo tried to catch the falling blade with his other hand, his body was exposed.
Swish! Thud!
His left eye was pierced. The moment he staggered back, this time his right eye was pierced.
“Kuaaaaargh!”
With a wretched scream, he stumbled backward.
Fwoosh! Thud!
This time, his mouth was pierced.
Everyone could feel that he was being punished—for the hand that pointed a blade at the Cheonhwaru Lord, and for the mouth that threatened to kill this wench.
Even in this dying moment, Baekdo could not believe it. How could one attack so boldly when there was a hostage? And how could those attacks be so precise and delicate? And how could a person fire finger winds in succession like that?
Swish! Crack!
Baekdo’s forehead was pierced, and he collapsed just like that. He died harboring all manner of doubts. Really, a husband?
A mixture of joy and emotion flashed across the Cheonhwaru Lord’s face. The taciturn Geukak Soma had shown his rage not with words, but with action. He had always been that kind of man. One who showed through deeds rather than words.
The Cheonhwaru Lord looked down at the corpses of the Black-White Twin Blades and the blood flowing around them, speaking with disappointment.
“I had cleaned everything up because I thought you were coming.”
“It’s fine. I like the smell of blood.”
The Cheonhwaru Lord strode over and threw herself into Geukak Soma’s arms. Geukak Soma did not embrace her in return and simply stood still, but the Cheonhwaru Lord was not the least bit upset.
Considering Geukak Soma’s personality and the first time they met, for him to simply stand there like this was no different from squeezing her tight in a hug.
The martial artists of Cheonhwaru standing behind also bowed in unison, conveying their gratitude for saving their master.
Geukak Soma said to the Cheonhwaru Lord.
“There are guests who came with me.”
Realizing the meaning behind those words, the Cheonhwaru Lord cleared the hall.
The injured martial artists were sent to a physician, and the corpses of the Black-White Twin Blades were removed. And the remaining martial artists were all sent to the outer court so that no one could enter or leave.
Then, Geom Mugeuk’s party entered among others.
The Cheonhwaru Lord greeted Geom Mugeuk first.
“Second Young Master, have you been well?”
“I have been well.”
“This warrior didn’t come with you?”
“I was terrified someone would steal our pretty little heart away, so I hid her away securely in the main sect.”
The Cheonhwaru Lord smiled and said.
“She is one who will become precious. Even if you send her out into the world, she will fare well.”
Geom Mugeuk knew well that she was an extraordinary woman. Just by being able to see through Yi An’s beauty during her plump days, she had proven herself to be no ordinary person.
“Even if you don’t believe my words, believe this warrior.”
“No, I believe Lady Lord’s words and will send her out.”
Even if only because of the Gwiyeongdae, she would have to go out into the world. Since the Bicheon Swordsmanship had reached Nine Star, he was not very worried about sending her out. Now, Cheongmyeondo was with her as well.
Geom Mugeuk next introduced the Poison King to her.
“This is the Poison King of our main sect.”
To be introduced to a mere brothel keeper? Under normal circumstances, this would have been unthinkable, but the Poison King did not feel uncomfortable in the slightest. If she was a woman who called Geukak Soma Brother, she was no simple brothel keeper.
The Cheonhwaru Lord showed him polite courtesy. As she was about to bow where she stood, the Poison King released a gentle internal energy to stop her.
“There is no need for such excessive courtesy.”
Instead, the Poison King courteously cupped his fists and greeted her.
“I am honored to meet you.”
It was consideration for Geukak Soma.
“I greet your esteemed self. I am called Cheonhwaru Lord Yeojeong.”
She was not at all surprised that the Poison King looked so youthful. Just as she had seen the true form hidden within the outer appearance, perhaps she was looking at the true form hidden within the Poison King’s exterior.
At the sight of her treating the Poison King with respect, Geukak Soma’s gaze toward the Poison King softened. Their relationship was still awkward, but when they first left the sect, they hadn’t exchanged a single glance for days. Compared to then, they were now sworn brothers.
Next, Seo Daeryong was introduced.
“This is my right-hand man.”
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Seo Daeryong.”
The Cheonhwaru Lord stared at Seo Daeryong intently, then smiled and said.
“It has been a long time since I have met someone with such a pure soul.”
She seemed to recognize Seo Daeryong’s kindness at a glance. Seo Daeryong was moved. He had likely never heard anyone say his soul looked pure since the day he was born.
Seo Daeryong shrugged his shoulders at Geom Mugeuk with a look that said, “See, I’m this kind of person.”
“When you introduce me, make sure to put in ‘pure soul’! You can leave everything else out.”
“Isn’t that just a fancy way of saying he gets taken advantage of wherever he goes, is easily deceived by women, and has a face perfect for being swindled?”
Seo Daeryong looked at the Cheonhwaru Lord with an *ah, surely not* expression, sending her a desperate gaze as if to say, *You have to tell me that’s not true*, but she merely smiled.
Next, Gowol was introduced.
“If that one is my right hand, this one is my brains.”
The Cheonhwaru Lord’s eyes as she looked at Gowol were similar to when she looked at Yi An. The eyes of reverence and support for one who would accomplish great things, but she did not speak it aloud.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader’s eyes sparkled, wondering what Geom Mugeuk would introduce him as.
“He is my steadfast sponsor.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader said.
“You have to have more to take to be a sponsor.”
“You have plenty left to take.”
“Left?”
“A wealthy man goes bankrupt, but it hasn’t even been three years yet, has it?”
When Geom Mugeuk put on an expression as if he knew all the hidden things, the Pungcheon Cult Leader needlessly threw a remark at Gowol.
“Don’t go around talking about me!”
Even at the words implying more would be taken, the Pungcheon Cult Leader was not upset. He knew Geom Mugeuk was speaking in jest, and besides, what could be sadder than becoming an unnecessary existence to someone?
And so, Geom Mugeuk introduced all his people.
The Cheonhwaru Lord watched Geukak Soma, the Poison King, Seo Daeryong, Gowol, and the Pungcheon Cult Leader standing to Geom Mugeuk’s left and right with an inscrutable gaze. Just what was she seeing now?
The Cheonhwaru Lord bowed her head courteously.
“Welcome to Cheonhwaru.”
Geom Mugeuk’s party also bowed their heads courteously in return.
The Cheonhwaru Lord guided them inside.
“I shall prepare rooms for you to stay in first.”
Then Geukak Soma said to her.
“Put mine beside yours.”
“Yes.”
At those words, the Cheonhwaru Lord must have understood—that this visit of ours was related to the safety of Cheonhwaru. Even so, she did not ask before we spoke first. She was calm yet cautious.
While everyone was settling in, I met with the Cheonhwaru Lord together with Geukak Soma first and explained the situation.
“The reason we came this time is because we heard information that our enemy, who runs brothels, is targeting the Gui Province.”
“Could that person be Yeobulge?”
As expected, she already knew about Yeobulge. Since Cheonhwaru was also a place that gathered information for Geukak Soma, she had already taken measure of him, who was called the King of the Night.
“That is correct.”
“I know that Yeobulge has been expanding his brothels throughout the Central Plains. His reputation is very poor.”
“It seems time for him to pay the price for those rumors.”
A glint of joy flickered in the Cheonhwaru Lord’s eyes. As one who was in the brothel business herself, she must have heard of many evil deeds related to Yeobulge.
“Lady Lord, you have no idea what kind of look Soma had the moment he heard that Yeobulge was advancing into the Gui Province.”
The Cheonhwaru Lord looked at Geukak Soma.
“But I think I know?”
She looked at Geukak Soma with a gaze that could only come from deep trust.
Meanwhile, Geukak Soma was still in low spirits despite having killed the Black-White Twin Blades. What if he had arrived late? Because of that, his rage toward Yeobulge had deepened further. One could feel the fury that wanted to rush to Yeobulge right this instant.
On the other hand, the Cheonhwaru Lord was so bright and calm despite having faced a life-threatening crisis.
Geom Mugeuk felt something from this composure. He thought she was a woman who knew at least how her own fate would flow, and that if they had not arrived in time, she would have made a different choice from the beginning.
“How enviable!”
It was something he said pointlessly to embarrass Geukak Soma, but Geukak Soma merely examined the Cheonhwaru Lord in silence.
Shortly after, everyone gathered in one place.
Gowol revealed the plan for what would follow.
“Today’s incident was unexpected.”
They had intended to deal with him slowly after coming here, but Yeobulge had struck at Cheonhwaru faster than anticipated.
“If it is revealed that the Black-White Twin Blades have died, he may strike Cheonhwaru in earnest. If we do not evacuate this place, there may be casualties. Even if we fend him off, problems will arise. The Demonic Alliance will definitely learn that Yeobulge suffered a setback while attacking Cheonhwaru.”
This place could no longer serve as a sanctuary for Geukak Soma.
“What do you think?”
At my question, Gowol gauged the expressions of Geukak Soma and the Cheonhwaru Lord.
“The plan I have devised is something that requires Lord Soma’s and Lady Lord’s permission.”
After saying so, Gowol revealed the plan he had devised.
“He wants Lady Lord, so you must go. Young Master and Lord Soma will play the role of the Black-White Twin Blades and take Lady Lord to his quarters. Since they are ones who normally wear distinctive clothing, if the two of you wear black and white garments and press down bamboo hats as well, you should be able to get inside as deep as possible.”
It was a surprising and audacious plan. And the core of this plan was secrecy.
“His death must be revealed as late as possible.”
Because the plan was to push through to Yayulhan before his death became known.
Of course, Gowol added a word regarding the part he was most concerned and careful about in this plan.
“If those going together were not the Young Master and Lord Soma, I would never have devised a plan to send Lady Lord into such a dangerous place.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Geukak Soma. Since it was a matter where the Cheonhwaru Lord had to go as well, he intended to follow Geukak Soma’s decision.
The Cheonhwaru Lord spoke up first, calmly.
“I will go.”
Geukak Soma’s hesitation was not long. He nodded, granting permission for this matter.
Gowol bowed his head, expressing his gratitude to the two for accepting this plan.
And then he spoke to the Poison King.
“There is also something I must ask of the Poison King. After Yeobulge is eliminated, please protect Lady Lord until this matter is concluded.”
It could have been an unwelcome request, but the Poison King answered readily.
“I shall.”
Swish!
The Poison King unfolded his fan and fanned himself gently. Now that he had permitted it, who in the world could kill the Cheonhwaru Lord?
Geukak Soma’s and the Poison King’s gazes intertwined in the air. The two of them did not say words befitting this moment like “I ask this of you” or “Don’t worry.” Neither was one to boast of favors, nor was either one to repay debts with mere words.
Finally, Gowol spoke to Geom Mugeuk.
“I will go first to prepare to face Yayulhan.”
It was words filled with conviction that the two would succeed and return.
The Cheonhwaru Lord looked alternately at Geukak Soma and Geom Mugeuk and said.
“If such handsome Black-White Twin Blades had come, I would have followed them first.”
At her joke, everyone laughed together.
Geom Mugeuk asked Geukak Soma.
“Will you take Baekdo? Or Heukdo?”
Geukak Soma answered curtly.
“Because white suits me.”