You are no different from my daughter.
The moment she heard those words, Ian was greatly surprised and flustered. She had never dreamed of hearing such words from the Cult Leader of all people. She couldn't even imagine that Cheonma viewed her in such a way.
Ian stared blankly at Geom Ujin before soon bowing her head. Her mind went blank, unsure of what to say.
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
The only words she could offer were humble words of gratitude.
After offering her respects and walking out on the red carpet, her legs lost strength and she felt dizzy.
'I was merely a worthless bodyguard.'
And yet, the side effects of the Whole Body Petrification Art had been removed, she had inherited the Soaring Sword Technique, become the adopted daughter of the Fist Demon, and learned of her own bloodline. And today, she had heard the Cult Leader say she was no different from his daughter.
The person who had made all of that possible was waiting for her at the entrance to the Cheonma Hall.
'The Young Lord.'
What could he be saying so earnestly to the Hanbing Twin Swords?
As she approached, Geom Muguk's voice could be heard.
"...This noodle shop here is truly delicious. They say it used to be a dumpling shop. And if you go thirty li east from here, there is an inn. It may look shabby on the outside, but their boiled pork dish is outstanding. And if you go straight north from there..."
He was telling them about delicious places to eat along the way. He knew the roads well, and his memory was so good that he knew exactly what each establishment was famous for.
Of the Hanbing Twin Swords, Sahan stood back a step as if uninterested but was listening to Geom Muguk's words, while Sobing was listening eagerly.
"The places I've told you about so far should all suit your tastes, so please be sure to stop by."
Sahan glanced at Hanseol and spoke.
"It should suit the Young Lady's tastes more than ours."
Geom Muguk's gaze also turned to Hanseol.
"The Young Lady will have many chances to eat. She'll be coming out to the Central Plains often from now on, won't she?"
Hanseol understood. That Geom Muguk was encouraging her to come out often from now on.
Geom Muguk spoke to the two again.
"So please eat your fill before you go."
Sobing said with a smile.
"We shall."
"If you ever come out to the Central Plains, even just the two of you, please send word to me. Then I shall treat you to even more delicious food."
Even if it was mere pleasantry, they were grateful words. Besides, hadn't he taken good care of them at yesterday's drinking session as well?
Only after definitely scoring points with the two experts of the Northern Sea did Geom Muguk's gaze turn to Ian, who was standing a short distance away and looking at him.
"What secret conversation took so long?"
In the meantime, Ian had calmed down considerably.
"He earnestly asked me to take good care of his son."
At her jest, Geom Muguk laughed. Geom Muguk could tell. That his father had bestowed an elixir upon her. The fine fragrance of the ten-thousand-year snow ginseng still lingered on her. It was a scent he knew well from having eaten it before.
Congratulations, Ian.
Having congratulated her in his heart, he spoke to Hanseol.
"Now then, let us go."
Geom Muguk and Ian saw Hanseol and the Hanbing Twin Swords off to the main gate.
As she walked, Hanseol looked at the Demon statues erected everywhere. She had stayed too briefly to form any lasting impressions of the Heavenly Demon Cult, but she felt she would never forget those massive Demon statues for as long as she lived.
A carriage awaited them at the main gate.
Hanseol was sorry to part with Ian, but she did not express it in words.
"See you next time."
"Farewell."
Ian watched the carriage they rode in grow distant before looking at Geom Muguk.
Geom Muguk stood silently with a taciturn expression, making one wonder when he had been such a chatterbox. People did not know. That this face was closest to the Young Lord's true nature.
Geom Muguk smiled at Ian and said.
"Let's go, to Master."
* * *
The Fist Demon was conducting morning training with the Iron Fists.
Below the Fist Demon, who was throwing punches from a platform, Cheon Sohui was throwing punches, and before her, the Black Fists in black martial arts uniforms were throwing punches with the same movements.
Pah-aang!
As they were the top experts among the Iron Fists of the Eastern Fist Gate, every single one of their movements contained discipline and power that no one could easily imitate.
From the Fist Demon to the Black Fists, though they were basic movements of fist arts, they devoted themselves fully to each and every motion.
No matter how complex and dazzling a technique, it unfolded based on these fundamental movements. The Fist Demon placed extreme importance on these basics.
The reason he personally taught the Iron Fists was to make these fundamentals completely ingrained in their bodies.
When that round of training ended, Geom Muguk and Ian entered.
"Father!"
The gazes of the Iron Fists split in half. The fervent young gazes turned toward Ian, while mainly the older ones turned toward the Fist Demon.
It was because they knew this was a chance to see an expression on the Fist Demon's face that was normally never seen. He was not one to reveal his emotions, but this moment was an exception.
"You have come?"
The Fist Demon's expression softened. That pleasant and comfortable expression hidden within that fearsome face was surprising to see every time.
The Iron Fists who had been looking at the Fist Demon shared this astonishment as they looked at one another.
Geom Muguk, who had followed Ian, spoke.
"The unfilial daughter has arrived."
"Unfilial daughter?"
When Ian asked in surprise, Geom Muguk explained.
"After arriving at the main cult, you didn't greet Master but went straight to drinking with me."
Ian spoke as if she were wronged.
"It was already so late, wasn't it?"
"You knew full well Master doesn't sleep at night."
Ian glared at Geom Muguk. Are you really doing this?
Smiling, Geom Muguk respectfully cupped his hands in greeting to the Fist Demon.
"Master, have you been well?"
The Fist Demon nodded and welcomed Geom Muguk with a pleased face. It was a reunion with both daughter and disciple after a long time.
At that moment, a greeting like a shout rang out.
"We greet the Young Lord!"
The Iron Fists greeted in booming voices. They felt pride that the Young Lord was the Fist Demon's disciple.
"Have you all been well?"
Having trained together before, Geom Muguk also greeted the Iron Fists warmly.
Cheon Sohui sent a wordless greeting with a hungover face to Geom Muguk and Ian.
The Fist Demon entrusted the training to her and then walked together with Geom Muguk and Ian.
Once they were far from the training ground, Ian spoke with an apologetic face.
"I think I must give you some unfortunate news. Something has come up, so I must leave the cult with the Young Lord immediately."
Knowing that Ian's heart would grow heavy if he showed disappointment, the Fist Demon nodded silently without asking the reason.
"And there is something I must tell you."
Ian told the Fist Demon that she had received the ten-thousand-year snow ginseng from Geom Ujin. And she told him the reason exactly as it was.
"The Cult Leader said that?"
"Yes."
Because he knew the relationship between his father and the Fist Demon better than anyone, Geom Muguk could see it. The uncontainable emotion that flickered across that fearsome face. To the Fist Demon, those words from his father were surely far more precious than the ten-thousand-year snow ginseng.
At moments like these, Geom Muguk was always reminded of one image. The sight of those two men of steel roaming the Central Plains in their youth.
In the meantime, the three arrived at the entrance of the Eastern Fist Gate.
"Go and return safely."
"Yes, Father."
Ian, who had been about to turn around after the greeting, spoke to the Fist Demon.
"The excessive gift I received from the Cult Leader today is all thanks to Father."
The Fist Demon shook his head.
"It is thanks to you."
After a brief pause, the Fist Demon added.
"If you had not become my daughter, none of this would have happened."
The moment she heard those words, tears streamed down Ian's eyes.
She had held them back before Cheonma, and she had held them back before Geom Muguk. The tears she had held and held back finally burst forth before her father.
She was so grateful to them all. She had been nothing but a child abandoned by the Heavenly Demon Cult. Was it really okay for her to receive such excessive love from among these great people?
"I... I'll be back."
Flustered by the unstoppable tears, Ian hurriedly left first.
The Fist Demon looked at Geom Muguk. It was a blunt gaze, but Geom Muguk read the Fist Demon's heart within it.
'Take my daughter and return her safely.'
Don't worry, Master. Your daughter will take good care of the Young Lord and return. You know, don't you? How strong your daughter is.
Having bid farewell to the Fist Demon, Geom Muguk also came out.
Outside, Ian spoke as if nothing had happened.
"You said we were busy, so why are you dawdling?"
Geom Muguk looked at her and laughed.
You little rascal, the tear marks around your eyes haven't all faded yet.
He didn't tease her for crying. Because to her, there were no tears more precious than these.
"Ready?"
"Yes!"
Geom Muguk leaped forward first and said.
"Let's go, Ian!"
* * *
Seojin was looking up at the signboard.
Never in her life had she seen such a large signboard.
Yellow Dragon Martial Hall.
As if the size of the signboard displayed the might of this martial hall, the four characters "Yellow Dragon Martial Hall" were written in gold upon the massive signboard.
Not a single martial artist guarded the entrance, and the doors were wide open. It gave off an air of confidence, as if saying, 'Do you dare enter the Yellow Dragon Martial Hall with irreverent hearts?'
Inside, a massive training ground was visible. The training ground was so large that the end could not be seen. Countless people were coming and going there.
Then a passing martial artist saw her and walked out.
"What brings you here?"
Seojin looked at the martial artist.
"I've come to meet Instructor Lin."
"There are more than one or two Instructors Lin; which Instructor Lin do you mean?"
"Instructor Lin Xian."
"Wait a moment."
The martial artist went inside and then came back out shortly.
"Follow me."
Seojin followed the martial artist inside.
Walking after him, she observed the interior. It was so vast that she couldn't tell whether she had come to a Martial Alliance headquarters or a martial hall.
Everywhere in the training ground, members were training in martial arts. Dozens were gathered in one place, and a few were training together in another. She could feel their passion to grow stronger.
"This place is truly amazing."
The martial artist guiding her answered proudly.
"You've never heard of the Yellow Dragon Martial Hall, the greatest martial hall in the Central Plains? We don't accept people just because they pay money like ordinary martial halls. This is a place you can only enter by passing an exam."
That was also why it was more famous. And it was known that graduating was more difficult than entering. If one couldn't pass the graduation exam, they couldn't claim to be from this place anywhere.
The martial artist guided Seojin to an office in a large building.
"Welcome. I am Giseok, a Master of the Yellow Dragon Martial Hall."
The hierarchy of the Yellow Dragon Martial Hall was divided into Hall Master, Great Master, Master, and Instructor. There were over a hundred Instructors, but only seven Masters, who were called the Seven Masters.
He was one of the Seven Masters of the Yellow Dragon Martial Hall.
She had naturally expected to be guided to Lin Xian, so being led here instead, Seojin was inwardly puzzled.
"I am Seojin."
"You came looking for Instructor Lin?"
"That is correct."
"What is your relationship with Instructor Lin?"
For some reason, a foreboding thought came to Seojin.
"I am a younger sister from his hometown."
Lin Xian had been a childhood friend of her older brother, the Gwiryeongja, but had been closer to her. He had played with her more than her brother, who was always cooped up in his research lab.
Today, she had come to find him to receive an item that Lin Xian was to pass on to her brother.
"I see."
Giseok's expression darkened, and soon he delivered news like a bolt from the blue.
"Instructor Lin passed away recently."
Seojin cried out in shock, "Ack—". She was so flustered that she didn't know what to say.
"...My brother died?"
Her voice trembled.
Giseok brought cold tea and gave it to her.
"First, drink this and calm yourself."
Holding the teacup, Seojin asked him.
"How did it happen?"
"There was an accident during training."
"What kind of accident?"
Had he died in a martial contest with his disciples? Or what kind of accident had he met?
"I cannot give details to those who are not immediate family."
"I am no different from family."
"That doesn't make you family, does it?
His mother, who had been his only remaining family, had passed away over ten years ago, and now he had no family.
"It is this hall's principle, so please understand."
Seojin sighed. What good would it do to know the reason now? He was already dead. He had died alone and lonely in this distant foreign land.
"What about his body?"
She thought she should at least take care of Lin Xian's body. She had intended to bury him in their hometown.
"If you are not immediate family, we cannot release it. We have already buried him, so you need not worry."
They had buried him? But without contacting her or her older brother?
"Instructor Lin did not leave any emergency contacts."
Doubt sprouted in Seojin's heart.
'How could that be?'
Long ago, Lin Xian had told her that he had set things up so they would be contacted in case of an emergency. That they were his family now.
'They won't tell me the cause of death, won't release the body, and are even lying to me?'
She intuited that they were hiding something about Lin Xian's death.
Giseok asked her.
"But what business did you have with Instructor Lin?"
Seojin, who had been staring at Giseok, sighed and said.
"I was planning to enter the Yellow Dragon Martial Hall."