"...What did you just say?"

Yusa repeated Shin Noya’s words, unable to process them.

He had no choice but to ask again.

Because what he had just heard—was utterly unbelievable.

Bloodline?

Did this bastard just say bloodline?

"What do you mean by that?"

As he spoke, faces flashed through his mind.

It was him.

The one who had ignored his command and instead issued one of his own.

The one who had shattered his pride and disappeared, looking down on him with arrogant contempt.

The one he had vowed to tear apart the next time they met.

And yet—

"That bastard is..."

The Master's bloodline?

Yusa’s widened eyes refused to shrink.

"No way."

His initial doubt began twisting into something more unsettling.

A question formed in his mind.

The reason his commands hadn't worked on that man.

The reason the Master's divine authority had not affected him.

"Could it be... because he's...?"

Because he was the Master's own blood?

"...No."

The moment the thought surfaced, Yusa shook his head.

That couldn't be it.

Even if that bastard really was the Master's child, it wouldn’t explain why commands didn’t work on him.

Command wasn’t just some ability.

It was the authority inherent to one's very existence.

The Master stood above all, and below her were the Generals.

Even if that bastard was her child—

It shouldn’t mean he ranked higher than the Master herself.

Judging that thought absurd, Yusa glared viciously at Shin Noya.

"You’re not trying to play word games with me again, are you?"

"Do I look like I have time to play games with you?"

"Oh? Then what is this nonsense?"

"...Hmm."

At Yusa’s sharp retort, Shin Noya scratched his cheek.

Admittedly, even he had to admit that it sounded a little far-fetched.

"...This is ridiculous."

Yusa frowned, sighing deeply.

This bastard never changed.

It was just like back then—

When the Master had suddenly introduced him as a new General.

Even now, Yusa despised him.

Back then, no one had opposed it more than Yusa.

How could an outsider be made a General?

That day had been the first time he had ever openly rebelled against the Master.

"..."

As those memories surfaced, Yusa bit his lip.

Was it that day?

Was that when he had first fallen out of favor—when his position had begun to waver?

A strange sensation spread through his body.

It slithered from his feet, up his spine, curling around his throat.

It pressed against his lips, as if trying to force its way in.

"...So."

Suppressing his emotions, Yusa finally spoke.

"If I accept your claim—if I really do wish to become the Master—then won’t that put me in direct conflict with that bastard?"

If he truly sought the throne—

Then that so-called Cheonma would become his greatest obstacle.

The one claiming he would "change Mangye" was effectively his enemy.

Shin Noya tilted his head. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"What are you talking about?"

"What do you mean? That bastard wants to become the Master too, doesn’t he?"

If Yusa was to take the throne—then aligning with that man was out of the question.

But instead of denying it, Shin Noya let out a quiet chuckle.

"You’re mistaken about something."

"What?"

"That man... No, that one... does not desire the throne."

"What the hell are you saying?"

He wanted to change Mangye, yet he didn’t want to be the Master?

That made no sense.

"Are you just messing with me now?"

Just as Yusa was about to narrow his eyes, Shin Noya cut him off.

"If you want answers, then make your choice first."

His voice was firm.

"You can remain in uncertainty and continue clinging to your current life... or, you can prepare to take the throne yourself. Make your choice."

"......"

A choice.

To join forces with them—

Or to stay where he was, fulfilling his duties as a General.

If I choose to remain as a General—

Then he would have to report everything to the Master.

If he did, he could stop these treacherous bastards before they made their move.

More than that—

It would finally give him a justified reason to erase these insufferable rats.

Shin Noya.

Mount Hua.

All of them.

But—

"If I make that choice..."

Would that bastard really just let me go?

Yusa knew all too well what kind of monster he was dealing with.

He had already witnessed it several times.

Even among the strongest warriors of the Moonlit Night Tribe, Yusa prided himself as one of the top—

And yet, even he could only describe that man as a monster.

If he chose to stay, then he’d have to be ready to run for his life and report to the Master immediately.

But then—

"And if I choose them?"

If he turned his back on the Master—

If he took their hand—

Then what?

"Would they actually have a plan?"

Was that bastard truly of the Master’s blood?

Did he really not seek the throne for himself?

And most of all—

"If I take their hand..."

Would he finally become the Master himself?

Thoughts swirled through his mind.

From a purely logical standpoint, staying in his current position was the safer bet.

He could use this opportunity to strengthen his hold on power.

"The leader... that brute... even that wretched girl Yarang... and that goddamn crow bastard too."

If he could make it so that none of them could stand in his way—

Then that would be his best move.

But—

Crack—!

His fist clenched tightly.

Those words.

That damn voice.

It kept ringing in his head.

"So what?"

Was he truly satisfied with that?

That question echoed in his mind.

And without thinking, Yusa responded.

"...First."

He exhaled sharply.

His voice carried weight.

"I want to speak to him first."

"Heh."

A smirk split Shin Noya’s lips.

"As much as you like."

***

The sun shone brightly at midday.

Beneath the sky, painted in hues of deep crimson, Yahwol was unusually silent.

The recent incident with the Blue Faction and the previous White Faction Leader’s demise had left the city cold and still.

People walked cautiously, their eyes darting around in vigilance.

Some chose not to leave their homes at all.

Even Yahwol Fortress had sealed half its gates, restricting entry and exit.

No one could leave.

No one could enter.

That was the current state of Yahwol.

And in this heavy atmosphere, in the back alley where the previous White Leader had been struck down—

A small, dilapidated building stood.

Inside, a group of individuals had gathered.

They were all dressed the same—

White martial robes embroidered with plum blossoms.

Swords hung at their waists as they turned toward someone, their expressions slightly tense.

"Sect Leader...! How did you get here...?"

At the sound of a disciple’s voice, the old man sitting at the table let out a small chuckle and waved a hand.

"I simply came to see your faces again after so long. How have you all been?"

Shin Noya, Sect Leader of Mount Hua, cast his gaze over his disciples.

All of them were second-generation disciples of the sect.

"I heard Seol Yeong stopped by recently."

"Yes, she did."

"Anything else of note?"

At that, one of the disciples hesitated, stealing a glance at Shin Noya before speaking.

"Lately... the atmosphere in Yahwol has been uneasy."

"Indeed. They’ve heightened security due to some unknown figure attacking a noble."

"Seriously, what kind of lunatic would dare target a noble? It’s absolute chaos."

Hearing this, Shin Noya involuntarily cleared his throat.

Because he knew exactly who that lunatic was.

At that moment—

Creak—!

The door swung open, and someone walked in.

Startled, the disciples instinctively gripped their swords—

"Ah, for fuck’s sake."

—only to freeze in place at the sound of a familiar curse.

Shin Noya exhaled heavily.

"He’s here."

The madman had arrived.

"Damn, this is exhausting. Seriously. I need to quit this bullshit already."

A voice dripping with irritation echoed through the room as a man stomped inside.

His demeanor was so casual—so natural—that for a moment, none of the disciples could react.

"Uh..."

"That guy..."

They were baffled by the sudden intrusion.

But soon, realization dawned upon them.

They had seen this man before—

The same man who had appeared when Gubong came by.

The same man who had an aggressive, sharp gaze—whose speech was just as sharp as his features.

The same man who had beaten the White Leader’s son to a pulp out of sheer annoyance.

"What the hell are you staring at? Get back to whatever you were doing."

The young man who had just entered—

Gu Yangcheon waved his hand lazily, as if shooing away flies.

"......"

To anyone watching, it looked like he owned the damn place.

"Ugh, I’m tired."

Gu Yangcheon stomped over and sat down in front of Shin Noya.

Meanwhile, Shin Noya had buried his face in his hands.

"Noya, what are you doing?"

"...Don’t talk to me for a moment."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because I’m too embarrassed to lift my head."

"...The hell are you saying?"

Gu Yangcheon squinted at him, completely lost.

Shin Noya, after a long sigh, finally lifted his head.

"Haaa..."

Gu Yangcheon watched him with a bemused look—

Then, unbothered, he picked his nose and casually asked—

"Did you get the job done?"

Shin Noya glanced at him.

"And what about you?"

"...Well. It’s more or less handled."

"Same here."

More or less.

Not perfect, but good enough.

They both gave the exact same answer—

And then immediately looked at each other like they were disappointed as hell.

"For someone young, you should’ve handled it better."

"...You kept bragging about being experienced. What’s this ‘more or less’ bullshit? You’ve aged terribly."

"You little shit—"

"Oh, oh? No violence!"

Shin Noya started to rise, but Gu Yangcheon quickly raised his hands in surrender.

This crazy old bastard always tried to beat people up over the smallest things.

Seriously—

How the hell was this guy supposed to be a Taoist master?

Gu Yangcheon would never understand.

"Tsk."

Shin Noya clicked his tongue, sinking back into his seat before speaking again.

"What about the thing you were supposed to check?"

"Oh, that?"

At that, Gu Yangcheon nodded.

The thing he had gone to confirm—

"Yeah. Looks like even the Leader isn’t immune to demonic energy."

The Moonlit Night Tribe.

Even their highest-ranking leaders could be affected by demonic energy.

That was what he had just confirmed.