Ian was looking at an iron sword in a weapon shop.
The iron sword she was looking at was not one of those expensive, ornate blades with decorated scabbards displayed in the center. It was one of several swords propped up behind the featured merchandise like mere part of the backdrop.
The shopkeeper cautiously approached.
“Does this sword suit your fancy? You’ve been looking at nothing but this one for a while now.”
Having run a weapon shop for many years, he had encountered countless martial artists. He had already intuitively grasped that she was a master who did not belong in a place like this.
“For some reason, this sword has caught my eye.”
Perhaps it felt as though the sword placed behind the flashy ones was looking at her.
To say nothing of Geom Mugeuk, most of the people she met while traveling with him were flamboyant ones.
The young leaders of the Murim Alliance and the Demonic Alliance, demon lords, the Wind Heaven Cult Leader, the Demon Monarch, the Yellow Heaven Pavilion Master—even the subordinates she met, people like Cheongmyeon and Chairan, and even her enemies were all fearsome individuals.
And yet she herself, who had been a bodyguard martial artist, was like that sword standing behind the flashy ones.
“Why don’t you draw it?”
“I feel as though I know what kind of sword it is even without drawing it.”
The shopkeeper’s gaze turned to the sword she wore at her waist.
“It seems you already carry an excellent sword.”
Her sword was the Ilwol Sword, a gift from Geom Mugeuk.
“A gift from an excellent person, is it not?”
Just then, someone spoke from the entrance.
“Might that excellent person be the one across the street picking out pajamas?”
Standing at the entrance was Jin Haryeong. She had naturally entered expecting Geom Mugeuk to be here, but it was Ian. Geom Mugeuk was across the street at a fabric shop picking out pajamas.
Ian answered with a bright smile toward her friend she hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Probably.”
Jin Haryeong approached Ian’s side. The shopkeeper quickly returned to his place. What day was it? For such beauties to arrive one after another?
“What kind of trip is this, exactly? My brother used up all his vacation days.”
“According to the Young Cult Leader, it’s a journey to find himself.”
“He sure knows how to slap together excuses just to have fun.”
Jin Haryeong felt that Ian’s energy had changed from before. Not that she could tell exactly what the difference was.
*She’s gotten stronger again in that short time.*
Not only that, but her eyes and aura felt different somehow. A woman’s intuition that some kind of inner change had taken place.
Ian asked Jin Haryeong,
“Have you eaten?”
“No.”
“The skewers in this town are delicious. Let’s go, I’ll buy you some.”
Jin Haryeong grabbed the arm of Ian, who was about to walk out.
“I’m interested in the Young Cult Leader.”
Even though it was sudden, Ian was neither surprised nor flustered.
“I know.”
“Is that all you have to say?”
“What else?”
The two women’s gazes tangled in the air.
“You should be grilling me. The Young Cult Leader calls me his heart, and yet you, his friend, are interested in him? You should be calling me shameless.”
Ian, who had been silently staring at her, looked around and said,
“It’s dangerous to argue in a place with so many swords. Let’s go—when you’re hungry, your nerves are sharper.”
But Jin Haryeong had already made up her mind to speak.
“This isn’t something to talk about while smiling.”
There was something she had wanted to ask for a long time. Setting aside her own feelings for Geom Mugeuk, it was something she had been frustrated and curious about as a fellow woman.
“Why are you just staying as you are? That person calls you his heart. Do you think it’s a joke?”
“No. He may play all sorts of pranks, but he is not someone who plays with people’s hearts.”
“Then why?”
At the look in Ian’s eyes asking if she really had to answer, Jin Haryeong responded by not letting go of her arm.
An unexpected answer flowed from Ian’s lips.
“I’ve never just stayed as I am until now.”
“!”
“Since I first met the young master at seven years old, not for a single moment until now have I ever just stayed as I was.”
Jin Haryeong, who had been silently staring at Ian, let go of the arm she held.
Ian was the first to move her steps.
“Let’s go, you must be hungry.”
The two who had exited the weapon shop stood before it and looked across the street at the fabric shop.
Inside, they could see Geom Mugeuk talking with the shopkeeper. Jin Haryeong chuckled at the sight of the shopkeeper bursting into laughter.
“He can’t help himself. Chatting away over there too.”
At Jin Haryeong’s words, Ian looked at the other side of the street.
“Your brother is no slouch either.”
Jin Haryeong turned her head and was startled.
Jin Hagyun was helping medicine peddlers with a demonstration. He was holding a log together with a peddler—a log that had undoubtedly been pre-broken.
A muscular man ran in and headbutted the log they were holding.
*Crack.*
When the log snapped in half, the onlookers cheered.
Her brother mingling with medicine peddlers? It was truly unimaginable.
“What on earth is this trip? Did everyone decide to go crazy?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen the Young Leader laugh like that.”
As Ian said, Jin Hagyun was smiling brightly.
“You’re right. It’s the first time I’ve seen my brother smile so brightly.”
Jin Haryeong, who had been watching for a moment, spoke to Ian.
“Tell him I left first. I’m busy; I only stopped by for a moment to see his face.”
As she was about to leave, this time Ian grabbed her arm.
“Come with us on this trip.”
Jin Haryeong glared at her and said,
“You must be confident. I’m Jin Haryeong, the greatest beauty of Hubei. The granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Leader and the sister of the next Alliance Leader. Do you have the confidence to handle me?”
“It’s not because I’m confident that I’m asking you to come.”
“Then why?”
An unexpected answer came from Ian.
“Because I want to travel with a friend.”
“!”
“Both the young master and your brother are so happy to meet friends. I want to do this trip with a friend too.”
Jin Haryeong said incredulously,
“This really is a trip where everyone decided to go crazy.”
Ian didn’t let go of her arm.
“The skewer vendor is that way.”
***
“Happy birthday.”
First Wolf of the Demonic Alliance’s Thirteen Wolves held out a small box to Bisain.
“This is a gift we prepared.”
“I told you I don’t need gifts.”
“It’s nothing much. Just a small token of our regard, so please accept it.”
When he opened the box, it was an accessory for clothing—a symbol of the Demonic Alliance in the shape of a wolf, made of gold.
“It’s impressive.”
Bisain pinned it to his chest.
“You didn’t have to pin it on.”
“I’ll wear it for today. Thank you for the gift.”
Bisain conveyed his gratitude to the other Thirteen Wolves standing behind as well. A heartfelt gratitude flickered across his fearsome, rugged face.
“Thank you, all of you.”
The Thirteen Wolves saluted in unison with cupped fists.
“Happy birthday.”
First Wolf reported to Bisain,
“By the way, I’ve reserved a VIP seat at Hwaryang Pavilion. I’ve also had them prepare the dishes you mentioned.”
Originally, a grand banquet would be held on the birthday of the Demonic Alliance’s Young Leader. However, Bisain had forbidden birthday banquets from being held several years ago.
He found it burdensome dealing with people who wanted to connect with him through expensive gifts, awkward to exchange greetings with those he could barely remember, and he did not desire having all attention focused on him at banquets.
He had intended to spend his birthday quietly at Hwaryang Pavilion today.
It was precisely as they were walking toward Hwaryang Pavilion that it happened.
*Shwiiik.*
A throwing dagger flew toward Bisain.
*Chaeng.*
First Wolf struck down the flying dagger with his sword.
“It’s an ambush!”
Four of the Thirteen Wolves leaped in the direction the dagger had come from. The remaining nine surrounded Bisain to protect him.
The Thirteen Wolves who had gone to find the ambusher returned empty-handed.
“The culprit vanished without leaving a trace.”
First Wolf, who had deflected the dagger, could tell. It wasn’t an attack launched to kill Bisain. Because if it were, the attack was far too straightforward.
Sure enough, a letter was tied to the dagger that had fallen to the ground.
First Wolf took out a small medicine bottle from within his clothes and sprinkled a little on the dagger and letter.
“There is no poison.”
First Wolf unfolded the letter and brought it to Bisain.
Bisain was startled when he checked the letter. Just by looking at his expression, one could guess the contents were no trifling matter.
“What does it say?”
Bisain showed the contents of the letter to First Wolf.
—Come alone to the Jujube Manor twenty li to the west. If you do not come, Hanseol dies.
***
Bisain arrived at the manor.
Seeing the main gate tilted diagonally, fallen from its hinges, he could tell this place had long been abandoned.
He crossed the yard littered with scattered gravel and trash and entered the central building.
Upon entering the main hall, there were four people there.
A chair was placed in the center, and a woman sat upon it. Her face was covered with a black cloth sack, making her unrecognizable.
Three figures in black stood around her. They wore black martial uniforms and conical hats with gauze veils, making their faces unrecognizable. The man in the center spoke coldly.
“Bisain, Young Leader of the Demonic Alliance.”
His voice was an incredibly low bass—so low that it seemed almost impossible to produce such a tone deliberately.
“You really came alone to save a woman.”
The man in the conical hat let out a despicable laugh.
“So the rumors that the Demonic Alliance’s Young Leader is enamored with the young palace mistress of the Northern Sea Ice Palace were true.”
Bisain’s gaze turned toward the woman sitting in the chair. Even at rest, Bisain’s face was fearsome, but as it hardened, it became even more terrifying.
“Why is her face covered?”
“Because we have questions. It’s a question too difficult to answer while looking face to face.”
The man in the conical hat pressed a sword to Hanseol’s neck and asked,
“Hanseol, do you know that the Young Leader favors you?”
Hanseol, who had hesitated briefly, slowly nodded.
“Do you also favor the Young Leader?”
Though she pondered longer than before, Hanseol slowly nodded.
The man in the conical hat said with a laugh,
“What a beautiful love. A love where you offer your lives for each other.”
Just then, Bisain spoke abruptly,
“I wasn’t planning on giving up my life, though.”
A silence suggesting they might have misheard flowed.
They had not misheard. Because Bisain drew his sword without hesitation.
*Wuuung.*
Sword qi enveloped his blade.
“How dare you stage a kidnapping against me!”
The man in the conical hat pressed his sword even tighter against Hanseol’s neck and warned,
“Don’t act rashly. If you so much as twitch a finger, Hanseol dies.”
Bisain let out a long whistle.
Shortly after, the Thirteen Wolves of the Demonic Alliance who had been waiting outside stormed into the manor.
“If Hanseol dies, the Northern Sea Ice Palace won’t stand idly by.”
Bisain didn’t bat an eye at the threat. He even added more.
“Her death will be framed as the work of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
The man in the conical hat flinched in surprise. The other two men in conical hats also seemed startled.
“Kill them all!”
“Then Hanseol will die!”
But the Thirteen Wolves charged in unison at the command.
As they flew at them simultaneously, the masked figure standing in the middle shouted instead of killing the woman.
“Wait! We surrender! Stop the attack!”
The charging Thirteen Wolves froze with their swords pointed from all directions.
The man in the conical hat slowly removed the black sack that had been pulled over Hanseol’s head.
The woman inside was Ian. She said with a surprised face,
“......Happy birthday, Young Leader Bi.”
Soon after, the man removed the conical hat he was wearing. He was none other than Geom Mugeuk, who had been acting with a disguised voice. The other two removed their hats as well, and of course they were Jin Hagyun and Jin Haryeong.
Jin Haryeong said with a dumbfounded face,
“So we almost died trying to throw a surprise birthday party, is that right?”
Jin Hagyun also said with an incredulous expression,
“He attacked without even checking when there’s a hostage?”
Ian fanned her face with her hand.
“I thought I would die of heat wearing that thing.”
Geom Mugeuk shouted in anger,
“Are you crazy? Ian put her whole heart into this performance, are you crazy! What if something happened to Miss Han!”
Not only Ian, but he himself had thoroughly concealed his energy, disguised his voice, and even swapped the sword he wore for an ordinary iron sword.
Bisain smiled leisurely and revealed the truth.
“I knew it was you lot from the start. If it weren’t you, who would dare kidnap Miss Han and send me such a letter?”
Bisain had known it was something Geom Mugeuk had done.
His words about framing the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had also been to tease Geom Mugeuk.
“As if you could deceive me.”
Bi Sa-in smiled in satisfaction, as if he had pulled it off. The Sado Thirteen Wolves must have known beforehand as well, for their expressions were relaxed.
Naturally, Geom Mugeuk and the other three believed his words were true.
Because if he had truly thought Han Seol had been kidnapped, he would never have brought the Sado Thirteen Wolves with him. Because he was not the sort of person who would shift the blame for Han Seol’s death onto the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
How on earth had he known?
Before uncovering that, Geom Mugeuk did not let this fine opportunity to tease Bi Sa-in pass him by.
Geom Mugeuk’s counterattack began.
“Liar! Now that you’ve been caught, you’re making excuses and saying you knew all along!”
By now, when it came to Geom Mugeuk’s pranks, they understood him with the slightest cue. As if they had all been waiting, each of them chimed in.
“I’m disappointed!”
“So today we witness the heartless jianghu firsthand.”
Following Ian and Jin Haryeong, Jin Hagun joined in as well.
“Have we been deceived all this time?”
“It means all that affection was fake. Lady Han, you were fooled. This cold-blooded heir of the unorthodox faction had no such thing as love for you.”
Bi Sa-in, who had been smiling at ease, grew flustered.
“I told you, I knew! Don’t misunderstand for no reason.”
But they were not the sort to let go once they had sunk their teeth into prey.
The hunter leading the charge was Jin Hagun. He recalled something from Bi Sa-in’s past—when Bi Sa-in had secretly strolled through the marketplace with Han Seol.
“That bear doll!”
Jin Hagun had seen Bi Sa-in dressed in white, walking around with Han Seol while carrying a bear doll, and had realized the nature of their relationship.
Well said! Geom Mugeuk’s eyes flashed sharply as he revealed the true nature of the bear doll.
“It wasn’t a cute bear doll. Hidden inside was a terrifying wolf doll meant to seize the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Look over there! He’s even wearing one on his chest!”
Ian and Jin Haryeong added their voices.
“I think I’ll be frightened every time I see a bear doll from now on.”
“I should start by throwing away the bear doll at home.”
The two women looked at each other and smiled with their eyes. Living as martial artists, when would they ever get a chance to tease and attack the young alliance leader of the Sado Alliance like this? When they were with Geom Mugeuk, they truly ended up experiencing things they could never have imagined.
Geom Mugeuk remembered something else.
“Ah, the sweets you bought Lady Han in the marketplace that day must have been poisoned!”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Hagun with sincere eyes.
“I owe you an apology. Sleeping in late, getting food on your clothes, showing off, gambling—none of that was anything before this enormous evil. We failed to see the true great mass beneath the glacier.”
“I accept your apology.”
Listening to them, Bi Sa-in shook his head.
“How long are you going to keep this up?”
“We’ve only just begun! Until we strip away every bit of that hypocritical mask of yours!”
A triumphant smile returned to Bi Sa-in’s lips. As if he had been waiting for this very moment, his final counterattack began.
“If they had said they’d kidnapped you lot instead, this deception would have succeeded. Then I really would have come alone.”
At last, the reason was revealed.
The reason he had realized this kidnapping farce was a prank from the very moment he first received the letter walked out from among the Sado Thirteen Wolves.
The person he was supposed to eat with today at Hwayang Pavilion—Han Seol, dressed in pure white.
Seeing her awkward smile, Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun shouted at the same time.
No, you little—!
“You were together again, just the two of you?”