After I was done playing around with those Hwangbo bastards, I wandered around for a bit before returning to my tent.

“Where did you go so early in the morning?”

I came across Gu Huibi who was drenched in sweat from her training.

Seems like my luck today was worse than usual, running into Gu Huibi of all people.

“The usual.”

“Oh, that stroll of yours?”

“Calling it a stroll makes it sound sentimental.”

“Your sis can be sentimental sometimes, little brother.”

Hearing her words, my lips naturally curled into a smile.

“You and your bullshit are worse than usual today…”

That's true.

“…Little brother, I think you mixed up your thoughts with your words.”

“Oh, it was a mistake.”

Lately, my mouth had been causing a lot of trouble.

Was it because I've been eating too much Demonic Qi?

“Ah, it pains me to see my little brother's mouth getting even looser”

“…I don't think you knew, but my mouth has always been this way. Although it's probably not as bad as yours.”

“Oh, is that so? You wanna fight?”

Gu Huibi spoke with a smile, a dense Combat Qi emanating from her.

Feeling that, I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief.

She's gotten much stronger during this time.

As if to prove that she really was destined to become the next Sword Queen after the Plum Blossom Sword, Gu Huibi's potential rose endlessly not knowing how to stop.

Moreover, she had both effort and talent, so it was no surprise to see her grow stronger day by day.

But if there was one thing I wished for, it was for her to take on the title of Crazy Sword instead of Sword Queen, as it suited her far more…

No matter how much I look at it, the Sword Queen title doesn't suit her with that personality.

It just didn't feel right, you know.

As her Combat Qi gradually enveloped the surroundings, I felt a faint heat mixing in.

Gu Huibi was subtly producing heat.

Noticing this, I let out a deep sigh.

“And do you think you can do anything in that state?”

She had just come back from training, so surely she wouldn't try to duel me.

Gu Huibi wore a smile as if she was touched by my response.

“Little brother, are you worried about your sis right now?”

I'm going to go crazy.

Deciding not to listen to any more of her nonsense, I shook my head.

Lately, she had been picking fights with me over the smallest things.

Even if it's not about this, she's still going to yell at me later anyway.

It was clear that she would scold me if she found out about the trouble I caused, so I had to leave before that happened.

Tap.

I walked past Gu Huibi's Combat Qi and the surrounding heat.

Thud-!

Crack!

“…!”

As I sent out a wave of Qi with my footsteps, the Combat Qi and heat in the surroundings dispersed with the wind.

Gu Huibi's face was filled with shock, but I didn't stop my steps.

I didn't know what she would do to me if I stayed any longer.

“…Next time, I'm busy today since it's my shift.”

“You really know how to slip out with words.”

Instead of getting mad at my actions, Gu Huibi laughed heartily.

If it was in the past, she would have beaten me up to try and set me straight.

“Weren't you on shift yesterday?”

“And?”

“Yet here you are, training just now.”

“What does that have to do with anything? Shift is work, and training is the life of a martial artist.”

I nodded in response to her words.

It would be nice if that halfwit Gu Jeolyub could learn a thing or two from her.

Although I myself haven't learned either.

But I decided to ignore that part, as sometimes one must be selfish in life.

“You'll be going at night, right?”

“I prefer noon, but a certain someone ordered me to go at night.”

“Well, night is better, the weather is nicer too.”

“…Since when did we have a relationship where we cared so much about the weather?”

Hearing my complaints, Gu Huibi chuckled and headed in the opposite direction with a smile.

It was towards the place where the Fifth Army usually trained.

It seemed that Gu Huibi was going to train even more.

“Maniac.”

She's going to go train again?

At this point, I was convinced that she had gone mad for training.

****************

As soon as I returned to the base, I looked for Moyong Hi-ah.

She resided in the Gu Clan's territory, but this particular area was under the jurisdiction of the Moyong Clan.

As if to prove that, most people here wore the attire of the Moyong Clan, as well as the sharp Qi that resembled a well-sheathed sword—a characteristic of the Moyong Clan—permeated the surroundings.

As I went inside, aware of their scrutinizing gazes…

“I greet the Young Master Gu.”

An escort from the Moyong Clan greeted me, seemingly waiting for my arrival.

“It's good to see you. You haven't been doing that anymore, huh?”

“…Haha.”

Before, they used to conduct inspections on me regularly, but they had stopped doing so lately.

Maybe it's because I exploded that one time.

Or Moyong Hi-ah could have instructed them not to do it anymore.

Regardless, I was happy as long as they didn't bother me.

“Is she here right now?”

I immediately asked about Moyong Hi-ah's whereabouts, causing the escort's expression to falter a little.

“…The Lady is not present currently.”

“Yes.”

“Where could she even be if not in the camp at this time?”

“…”

“Don't you also think that it's weird to use that as an excuse?”

Moyong Hi-ah rarely went out to hunt Demons, spending most of her time training or in her tent.

Other than that, she would visit my tent randomly for a chat.

There were times like this when they would tell me that she wasn't present, and their explanations became more convincing each time.

“Hah, is she sulking again?”

She most probably didn't want to see my face right now.

Because of that, she locked herself in her tent and refused to come out.

I had once barged in and dragged her out, only for her to say what?

…She got mad at me because I forgot to meet her due to training?

It was something like that.

While it was indeed my fault, I couldn't understand why Moyong Hi-ah chose to stay silent and lock herself up instead of unleashing her usual barrage of cutting insults that she would for anyone else.

Should I barge in again this time?

I contemplated, but after some careful consideration, I decided against it.

Firstly, I knew there must be a reason behind her behavior, and secondly, it was simply too much of a hassle.

“Tsk.”

I turned away from Moyong Hi-ah's tent, deciding to walk away.

Even now, I could still feel her presence inside.

She really was the person I understood the least.

“Have a safe journey back.”

“Just make sure to tell her to eat. She grows skinnier every time I see her.”

“Yes, I will convey the message to the Lady once she returns.”

“I'm sure it's not easy for you either.”

…There was no need to put on an act, it's obvious she's inside.

I let Moyong Hi-ah be, and made my way back to the Gu Clan's territory.

It was almost lunchtime, and it was around the time Namgung Bi-ah would wake up and wait for me.

Now that I think about it, the letter should be here soon.

It was rare to get multiple letters at once, but this time I was expecting it.

There was news about events occurring within the clan, sent from the Gu Clan, as well as information about the Central Plains that I managed and exchanged separately. Together, with what Tang Soyeol provided, that made three letters.

…Tang Soyeol is quite impressive too.

In her initial letter, Tang Soyeol wrote nonsense saying that she would come to me right away, as if she intended to join me at the frontlines. However, the next letter she sent said that she was unable to come as she was bound by the Clan Lord, the Poison King.

And also…

There was also something about the Poison King wanting to meet me…

I can't even express how panicked I got when I first saw that.

Drawing the attention of none other than the Poison King was just as terrifying as having my name remembered by the Dark King.

Although I have yet to run into any problems.

It was possible that he wasn't being serious when he wrote such a thing, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

The Poison King, along with the Dark King, was one of the top martial artists associated with death after all.

He's not… too concerned, right?

While I may be called the True Dragon or whatever, I was still but a young prodigy. So there was no way that the Poison King would pay too much attention to me.

Or so I prayed was the case.

As I made my way back to my tent, filled with worries.

“Huh?”

I noticed some unfamiliar faces.

“You crazy bastards…!

There was also a guy who was going wild in rage.

That guy is…?

For a moment, I struggled to remember who he was, but it soon came back to me.

He was one of the martial artists from the Alliance, the one brought by Gu Jeolyub.

Yes, the fucker who fainted upon seeing my face.

If I recall correctly, his name was Bi Yeonsum.

“Why is he acting like that though?”

As I went closer, I recognized the others as well.

The unfamiliar individuals wore the same outfit of the Murim Alliance, just like Bi Yeonsum.

The man standing at the front of the group was speaking to Bi Yeonsum.

“Comrade Bi… Last time, we— “

“Comrade, you say? Spare me your nonsense.”

Bi Yeonsum's expression soured as if he had no intention to listen to the man.

Undeterred, the man continued with a conflicted tone.

“Sigh, we were helpless in that situation. How can a young man lack empathy?”

Upon hearing these words, a vein bulged on Bi Yeonsum's neck.

“Helpless? How can you consider that as a situation in which you were helpless?”

Bi Yeonsum's face twisted into an incredulous smile.

“You used me as bait so that you guys could escape. And you now say that it was a situation where you were helpless?”

“You should be ashamed… Coming to see me here after abandoning a comrade and using him as bait. Do you have no shame at all?”

Listening to Bi Yeonsum's words, I began to understand the situation.

Such things happen all too often.

It was common on the frontlines.

Surviving by sacrificing a comrade as bait was as common as ever.

Humans are far more cunning than you think.

I wonder how many would still cling to their belief as members of an Orthodox Sect when faced with imminent death.

Having witnessed countless despicable acts, such occurrences seemed ordinary to me

It's humans who are more demonic than Demons themselves.

One cannot afford to hold a grudge over such trivial matters.

Such is the reality of the Central Plains.

So that bastard should just go back and…

“I won't be going back.”

“Huh?”

I was momentarily dumbfounded upon hearing Bi Yeonsum's words.

What did that bastard just say?

“I will not return to a place filled with trash like you. I'd rather stay here and…!”

The members of the Murim Alliance were stunned as Bi Yeonsum screamed.

Though I couldn't see their faces, I was certain they were conflicted.

I felt the same way.

After watching this whole thing, I spoke, holding back in my anger.

“With whose permission?”

“…Ah!”

Along with Bi Yeonsum, the members of the Alliance flinched upon seeing me.

It seemed like they knew who I was.

“T-True Dragon.”

“Hey fellas, didn't I tell you guys to call me by my name? I could've sworn I kindly informed the bastards who visited me last time.”

I made sure not to leave them with any scars. I was being incredibly generous.

“I-I apologize, Brother Gu! It was a small mistake.”

“That's all well and good, but why are you struggling to bring him back when you've come all this way? Can't you do anything on your own?”

“Uh… about that…”

They couldn't provide a response and only continued to hesitate.

They truly were inept bastards.

If he won't cooperate, it's simple, they should just beat him up. I swear they always act like true members of Orthodox Sects for something like this.

“You too.”

“Y-Yes?”

“They've come to get you, so you should return.”

Bi Yeonsum avoided eye contact upon hearing me.

This piece of sh—

“Hey, I told you to go.”

“Huh?”

“Those inhuman bastards… they…”

Bi Yeonsum bit his lips, still clearly angry, but seeing him like this, I could only sigh.

“So what?”

“Pardon…?”

“Whether you were mistreated or those bastards did something to you, do I need to know?”

“That's not what I'm…”

“If that's not what you're trying to say, then what is it? If something makes you mad, deal with it on your own. Is that thing on your hip a back scratcher? What do you mean you won't go? Just screw off already.”

“…”

Why does he only yap when he has a perfectly good sword?

“…I'm a martial artist. Martial arts… shouldn't be used for something like this… “

“You're talking out of your ass. Kids like you, who have nothing, always tend to have a deep belief in something.”

Just like Gu Jeolyub, I wonder why they were like that.

Bi Yeonsum's brow furrowed slightly at my response.

“You are going a little too far with your words.”

“Of course I am, I'm doing it so you feel like shit.”

Bi Yeonsum's expression worsened as I continued to berate him.

Looking at his face, I pressed on.

“And what do you mean you're staying? Do you think it was just one or two bastards who came here like you?”

“What do you mean by that…?“

Gu Jeolyub didn't bring just one or two people, and it wasn't just him who brought martial artists.

Some of them were from the Murim Alliance, and some had also been treated like shit, just like Bi Yeonsum.

This meant that Bi Yeonsum wasn't the first person to find themselves in such a situation.

“What will you do if you don't go, are you going to stay?”

“…If you give me the permission… I shall stay here and provide support…”

“I told you already, I'm not going to, why are you dreaming of such a thing all on your own?”

“…”

“What will you even accomplish by staying? We're already struggling to give everyone a salary, and you'd just be another mouth to feed.”

That part was a lie.

I wasn't even in charge of giving salaries, and the Gu Clan paid martial artists handsomely in that regard.

It got to the point where rumors about Father giving money to the Swordsmen Army began to spread.

However, it seemed like Bi Yeonsum wasn't going to back down even after hearing my words.

“I don't need money.”

I was a little surprised at his determined response.

“…You don't need money?”

“Yes… I just don't want to be associated with the Murim Alliance while I'm on the frontlines.”

Bi Yeonsum's expression was firm as if he had made up his mind..

“So if you allow me… I will— “

“So...”

“Hmm?”

“What you're saying is that you don't want to return and you want to stay here instead. You're asking for my permission to stay and work here for free?”

“H-Huh? Work…? T-That's correct.”

Bi Yeonsum stammered, pausing briefly after noticing something odd in that sentence, before hurriedly nodded after.

He likely thought that I was starting to change my mind.

After pretending to contemplate for a moment, I addressed Bi Yeonsum.

“Then would you be willing to sign a contract? Formal matters like this should be handled officially.”

“…Ah! S-So, you are giving me permission to stay?”

“No need to ask for permission when we're this close. So, you're going to sign the contract, right?”

“T-That's right. As long as you let me stay here…!”

From 'fucker' and 'bastard', now he was being referred to as 'we', but Bi Yeonsum didn't seem to have noticed.

Witnessing Bi Yeonsum's determination, I smiled brightly and nodded.

“Very well. Go and discuss the important details with the Vice Captain later… Oh, by the way, what were we talking about just now?”

After finishing my nice and short conversation with Bi Yeonsum, I turned my attention toward the members of the Murim Alliance.

“Now, what was it again?”

“Master Gu sent a letter requesting the retrieval of the Alliance's martial artist that you were protecting, so we came…”

“Ah, right. I did, didn't I?”

I was able to remember again thanks to the man's response.

I nodded and spoke while staring at the group before me.

“So, who is responsible for mistreating 'our kid'?”

“Pardon…?”

“I'm asking who's responsible for mistreating 'our' kid.”

“Brother Gu… what are you talking about, all of a sudden?”

“I heard you all fled after using him as bait.”

“No, wait! What do you mean!”

“I'm asking who did it… Oh, was it all of you? To be fair, that'd make my life far easier, as it's a hassle for me to pick one out.”

“W-Wait, Brother Gu…! No, Master Gu! W-Why are you acting like this?!”

Crack.

As I went closer, stretching out my hands, Bi Yeonsum, who had been watching from the sidelines, wore a dumbfounded expression.

What's happening all of a sudden…?

He seemed confused by my sudden change in demeanor.

Thanks to that, Bi Yeonsum didn't notice Gu Jeolyub who was struggling to escape the Vice Captain's grasp from the back.

Gu Jeolyub seemed desperate, his two eyes screaming at Bi Yeonsum.

-Run away!

But those words, ones that he shouted so very earnestly, failed to reach Bi Yeonsum's ears.