I stared out the carriage window for a long time.

I haven't had that many chances to ride in a carriage.

But there was a quiet pleasure in watching the scenery constantly change.

Honestly, I have no idea how many days it’ll take to reach Mount Hua by carriage. But since there's no need to rush, I took in the peaceful view as much as I could.

I wondered what kind of thoughts the Cult Leader had while riding in a carriage.

No matter how long he stared outside, it must’ve been hard to find a worthy opponent. Perhaps being exceptionally skilled in martial arts really is as lonely as I imagine. Then again, maybe it's not the martial arts themselves, but the fact that he knows nothing else about life—that’s what makes him lonely.

The Cult Leader is a man who doesn’t know much.

He’s never lived a life outside of killing and being killed.

I’m someone who’s just bad at cooking.

But the Cult Leader is someone who’s never even tried cooking before.

How can a person go their whole life without ever cooking?

Of course, I do have some idea of what life in the Demon Cult is like.

I understand well the sense of achievement you feel when you finally overpower a stubborn opponent, and the thrill that comes from instinct.

But that can’t be all there is to life.

In that sense, considering the fact that he’s kept Big Bro and me alive all this time...

The Cult Leader’s greatest enemy might be himself.

If I hadn’t stolen the Heavenly Jade in my previous life...

Who would’ve ended up consuming it?

Was it the Cult Leader, just like I’d expected?

Or maybe it was the Lecher, who had hurried to catch up to Manjangae? No, it could’ve been the Eldest Young Lord, sneaking it during the Cult Leader’s closed-door training.

Even if the Lecher or the Eldest Young Lord got their hands on the Heavenly Jade...

They would’ve ended up dead at the hands of the Cult Leader anyway.

Maybe he was just so fed up with the boredom that he decided to create a rival himself.

If so, it must’ve been a rare form of entertainment for him. Even if it ended with his own defeat, it wouldn't have been unjust. After all, he likely intended to hand over the Cult to the Lecher or the Eldest Young Lord eventually.

Come to think of it, if the Lecher had consumed the Heavenly Jade—

That too would’ve been a kind of hell for the martial world.

He’d have built an unprecedented pleasure palace, only to die young.

Anyway, as I continued my thoughts while riding in the carriage, my mind kept drifting to strange places.

The fight at Mount Hua might end up being yet another succession battle for the Cult.

He’ll kill off all his disobedient subordinates.

He’ll kill the outside contenders for succession too.

From the Cult Leader’s perspective, there’s nothing to lose.

Even the one who sent me back in time wouldn’t know what’s going to happen from here on out.

Of course, I don’t know either.

As I was looking out the window for a long time, Sambok’s voice called out.

“Lord.”

“What?”

He asked bluntly,

“Lord, you don’t fight losing battles, do you?”

“I try not to.”

“How much of a gap is there between you and the Cult Leader?”

“Difference in years. Difference in inner energy.”

“Is that all?”

“The rest, we’ll only know once we fight. The Cult Leader doesn’t know everything I do, and I don’t know all the techniques he has.”

“Do you have other concerns?”

“Other concerns? Like what?”

“For example, if you end up defeating the Cult Leader by any means necessary... have you thought about what comes after?”

“I don’t need to worry about that.”

“Then who does?”

“Big Bro.”

Sambok nodded and then asked something he clearly thought was important.

“Lord, once we return, I’ll be the one reporting back. I’d like to give you ample time to train at Mount Hua. It might be tough to stretch it to a whole year, but if I delay the report as long as I can...”

“Sambok.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t be loyal with half-assed tricks. While you’re with the Cult, serve the Cult faithfully. And if at some point you feel the Cult’s direction isn’t right, then leave without regret. If you act like someone stuck in the middle, the Cult Leader will kill you, ten times out of ten.”

“Understood.”

“The Cult Leader needs time too. Time to gather up the ones destined to die by our hands. Time for them to arrive, once they’re called. That’s enough time for me.”

“Got it.”

“If the fight is delayed, those bastards who never listen to me might start gathering at Mount Hua one by one. Then it’ll turn into a full-blown righteous-demonic war. That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid... I won’t let it happen.”

While still staring out the window, I said,

“If you see an inn, tell them to stop. Let’s eat.”

“Understood.”

“And while we eat, tell the coachmen something. Tell them to deliberately take routes where bandits or marauders are known to appear. It doesn’t matter if the areas are ruled by big or small crime syndicates, or if they're home to those bald bastards or remnants of the Great Nation. We’re tearing through all of them as we go.”

I glanced at Sambok, and the bastard was grinning.

“Why are you smiling?”

He scratched the back of his head and answered,

“It’s just... I got a little excited. I’ll make it happen.”

I suddenly remembered how Sambok acted toward the Third Young Lord before. It was oddly clueless. He’s a good kid, just a bit slow on the uptake. I asked him in a quiet voice,

“You excited?”

Sambok flinched a little, then quickly answered,

“My apologies.”

“Bandit gangs usually have more than a hundred men.”

“Right.”

“Don’t get all hyped and end up dying, flying off to the heavens.”

“Yes.”

“We’ve got two carriages, so they’ll see us as a nice, juicy target. Make sure everyone’s well-fed. We’ve got a long way to go. And the carriages are too damn dark. Later, stick some wildflowers on them or something. Make us look like idiots.”

Sambok grinned again.

“Got it.”

***

Moyong Baek, having heard that the patient had returned, waited a bit before heading out for a house call himself.

What the hell is that patient so busy with, anyway?

Usually, after returning, he’d show up at the clinic in a day or two, rambling nonsense as always, but today something felt off.

Eager for a long-awaited bowl of pork bone stew, he rushed to the Zaha Inn, only to find that everything looked the same as usual.

At that moment, Yoran was sitting idly in front of the Zaha Inn, and made eye contact with Moyong Baek.

“Teacher.”

“Yoran, where’s your master?”

“He left early yesterday morning.”

Moyong Baek walked over and locked eyes with Yoran.

“He left? Already? All four of them?”

“No. Second Master didn’t come. Just the three of them left. They split between two pitch-black carriages.”

“I see. Where did they go?”

“To Mount Hua.”

Moyong Baek’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Mount Hua? To Mount Hua? Is the enemy there?”

“No. He said he was going to face the Cult Leader there.”

Today, for some reason, Moyong Baek kept repeating everything he said.

“The Cult Leader? The Demon Cult’s Cult Leader?”

“Yes.”

At that moment, Jang Deuk-soo walked out of the inn wearing his apron.

“Teacher Moyong.”

“Yes?”

“What Yoran said is exactly right. They’re going to fight the Cult Leader. At Mount Hua.”

“They’ve already left...”

He almost asked, “Why didn’t you stop them?”—but bit his tongue. After all, no one could stop that patient once he made up his mind. Unable to make sense of it all, he had no choice but to ask Jang Deuk-soo.

“Is the Demon Cult and Hao Clan going to clash at Mount Hua?”

“Doesn’t seem like that. Just a handful are gathering to duel, I hear.”

“He’s barely trained for a few years, and he’s already going to challenge the Cult Leader? Has he lost his mind?”

“He did lose his mind—long ago.”

Jang Deuk-soo suddenly furrowed his brow and shot Yoran a look. Seemed like he was warning him to watch his words in front of a disciple. Moyong Baek finally realized he’d slipped up.

“Ah... Anyway, I understand.”

As Moyong Baek turned to leave, Jang Deuk-soo called out to him.

“You’re not thinking of going to Mount Hua, are you? From what I’ve heard, the top masters of our era will be gathering there. Stay put. The fact that you weren’t told is a clear message: don’t go.”

Moyong Baek turned back and stared silently at Jang Deuk-soo.

“If the greatest masters of this era are going to fight...”

“...”

“There’ll be plenty of patients. Understood.”

“Hey, Teacher—!”

But Moyong Baek was already heading back to the clinic in a hurry. Jang Deuk-soo let out a deep sigh as he watched him disappear.

“That bastard never listens. He's definitely going.”

Yoran said softly,

“I want to go too.”

Jang Deuk-soo shook his head.

“No. Impossible. Not a chance. I won’t let you. Don’t even think # Nоvеlight # about tagging along with Teacher Moyong. Let’s go inside. If not just your master, but the Cult Leader too gets angry, it’s over. Only the powerful are allowed to be there.”

“But you’re not a powerful person, either.”

“True, but every time I see him, the atmosphere changes. That guy’s no ordinary man.”

“How do you know that?”

Jang Deuk-soo looked Yoran in the eye and said,

“When you run an inn, you can see right through your guests. It’s nothing special.”

“What about me?”

Jang Deuk-soo laughed.

“Best under heaven. Well, not yet.”

He picked up Yoran with a sigh, already sensing the storm brewing.

“Yoran, I just hope you don’t end up like your Third Master.”

“Why?”

“He never listens.”

“Whose words?”

“Everyone’s.”

Jang Deuk-soo stared at Yoran’s expression and suddenly felt a bad feeling rising in his chest.

“Why are you smiling?”

“I was laughing on the inside.”

“Not even close.”

“I’ll practice more.”

Jang Deuk-soo sighed again. Only now did he realize that martial arts weren’t the only thing a disciple inherited from their master. Since he himself had never had one, he never saw it coming.

***

Moyong Baek returned to the medical house, gathered medicinal herbs and poisons, and shoved them into a bundle. Since he would have to get a horse and ride out anyway, he packed a good amount of money as well. He had already prepared the clinic to function in his absence, so he wasn’t particularly worried. What concerned him more was himself.

Is chasing after him really the right choice?

Without having made that decision, he finished packing and summoned the female physicians.

While the physicians gathered, Moyong Baek pulled a white sash from a drawer and tied it around his forehead. Even as he fixed his hair, his breathing remained unsteady. Eventually, once all the physicians had gathered, Baek So-ah, looking curious, asked,

"Teacher, are you going somewhere?"

Moyong Baek nodded and looked around at them.

"A house call. I’ll be back."

"Are you going far?"

"It's a bit far—Mount Hua."

Heuk So-ryeong responded with a shocked expression.

"You’re going that far just for a house call?"

Moyong Baek took a deep breath and said,

"If I don’t return for a long time, Heukbaek Soso should take the physicians to visit the Martial Alliance. Skilled female physicians like you are rare in Jianghu. They’re surely in short supply there. If you tell them you came through the recommendation of the Haomun Lord and ask for work, they won’t turn you away."

The physicians all widened their eyes and stared at Moyong Baek. Baek So-ah asked with a troubled look,

"...Are you going there to die?"

At the absurd question, Moyong Baek burst into laughter.

"What a ridiculous question. I told you, it’s just a house call."

"But your face looks incredibly uneasy."

Moyong Baek nodded and gave a more detailed explanation.

"The Lord and the Cult Leader are going to clash. Heukbaek Soso, who knows a bit about Jianghu, must have heard what kind of person the Cult Leader is, right?"

"Yes."

"I'm not going there to fight. I'm going to Mount Hua to treat people, regardless of whether they’re enemy or ally. I’ll try to save as many as I can. I learned medicine for days like this. If I just lie around in the village, I won’t even be able to sleep at night."

Another physician asked,

"Of course treating allies makes sense, but even the enemy?"

Moyong Baek nodded and stood up.

"A patient is a patient—what’s ally or enemy supposed to mean? You treat them first. And keeping the enemy alive lets you maneuver, so you can save allies too. It’s a long story. I’m leaving now. Thanks to the Lord, I’m heading to Mount Hua. Damn it... Don’t follow me out."

Despite being told not to, the physicians all followed Moyong Baek outside to see him off.

As Moyong Baek walked away without once looking back, the physicians cheered from behind him.

"Teacher, please come back safely!"

Moyong Baek simply waved his hand once in reply.

***

Im Sobaek read the Haomun Lord’s letter brought by Gongson Wol and looked at him. Gongson Wol cautiously asked,

"May I read it too?"

After reading the letter himself, Gongson Wol silently looked at the Alliance Leader. The two of them remained in a heavy silence.

Im Sobaek held out his hand again.

"Let me see it."

Though there was no way the contents of the letter had changed, Im Sobaek read it again. On his third reading, he placed the letter down on the desk and asked his strategist,

"Gongson Strategist, what should I do?"

Finding himself at a loss for words, Gongson Wol gripped the letter again and re-read it.

He said,

"For now..."

"For now what?"

"I'm not sure either. But if the Lord, the Sword Demon, Master Yukhap, and Lord Mong all join forces—could they really not handle the Cult Leader?"

"I don’t think they’d be pushed back, but the problem is the Cult Leader would never move alone. Knowing this, why would he oppose my going to Mount Hua so strongly?"

Of course, it wasn’t Gongson Wol himself opposing it—it was a rhetorical question about the contents of the letter.

Gongson Wol replied,

"He’s quite a strategic person. He must have his reasons, don’t you think?"

"If the Lord dies at Mount Hua and peace comes to Jianghu, does that make it worth it?"

"No, it doesn’t."

Im Sobaek’s expression suddenly twisted in anger as he spoke.

"Gongson Strategist."

"Yes, Alliance Leader."

"Call in all the officers without exception."

"Is this a full-scale war?"

"No. I’m sick of this. I’m done playing Alliance Leader. Whether they debate it or beat each other up over it, I’ll name a successor. Let them know. And gather everyone outside too."

Gongson Wol, also fuming, responded,

"Where in the world does an Alliance Leader give up his position overnight just to go to Mount Hua? Please, calm down."

"What am I supposed to make of ‘let the Alliance preserve its strength while we fight’? That we should sit out the battle?"

Gongson Wol, doing his best to remain calm, replied,

"I understand. Now that I think about it, there’s one master outside our current power structure. I’ll try contacting him."

"Who?"

"The former Chief Strategist. I don’t know if he’ll go, but if he does, as the Lord emphasized, you must stay and protect the Alliance. He’ll definitely be of help."

"Someone who retired?"

"Yes. If he refuses, then proceed as you wish."

Feeling suffocated, Im Sobaek grabbed the letter again. As his frustration boiled over, he muttered something that tumbled out from his stream of consciousness.

"...Are there no flowers on Mount Hua?"

"I wouldn’t know—I’ve never been there." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Im Sobaek read the letter again, over and over.