A face full of freckles.

He was shorter than me, and around thirty years old.

He looked like an ordinary servant, but I knew better.

"It’s the Shadow King."

Yes, I realized this man was indeed the Shadow King. I had my doubts until I heard his voice, but once I did, I was sure.

And beyond that…

"It feels completely off."

Knowing who he was, I began to sense an odd dissonance.

There was also the vibration coming from my arm.

"...What the hell is this now?"

It was as if there was a heart beating wildly within the scaly patch on my arm. Why was this happening?

Ignoring the unsettling sensation, I fixed my gaze on the Shadow King.

He seemed flustered by my stare, breaking into a cold sweat—or at least, he was pretending to.

"Why are these people such good actors?"

Both Paejon and the Shadow King excelled at putting on performances I couldn’t understand.

My gaze naturally shifted to Paejon, silently asking what was going on.

Did Paejon know about this?

"This old man…"

Seeing the slight grin on Paejon's face, I realized he was fully aware.

"So, Paejon and the Shadow King are connected somehow?"

I didn’t know what their connection was, but it certainly wasn’t anything ordinary.

Why was the Shadow King even here, among the others? Avoiding his stare, I asked Paejon directly.

"What… is this about?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why is he here?"

"Don’t worry about it. He’s just one of the servants."

"What kind of… Are you feeling alright?"

Knowing who he was, yet telling me to disregard him as just a servant—what kind of madness was this?

Seeing my confusion, Paejon answered calmly, unfazed.

"I happened to need a favor."

"A favor…?"

My mind raced. A favor from the Shadow King?

"Who are you planning to kill?"

That was the only thought I could muster. Frankly, what else would you request from the Shadow King?

At my words, Paejon scrunched his face slightly, giving me a questioning look.

"Why are you thinking… Hm…"

He trailed off as if my question was ridiculous, but then he tilted his head slightly. What was that reaction?

"...It’s not far off, I suppose."

"...What?"

"Yes, that’s fairly accurate. Just think of it that way."

What was he trying to say?

So, in the end, the Shadow King was going to kill someone. It felt strange that Paejon would make such a request of him, but I decided not to pry further.

Everyone has their own reasons, and I was only here to learn martial arts from Paejon. That was all.

Similarly, Paejon wanted nothing more than for me to master his martial arts. We had that kind of relationship.

It felt odd to call it a master-disciple relationship, at least from my perspective.

A functional alliance formed out of necessity. I’d never heard of such a relationship.

It was a bit concerning that the Shadow King was traveling with the people from the Bi family on this journey to Sichuan.

But as long as it didn’t involve me, I was fine with it.

Only…

"But is it really unrelated to me?"

A small doubt lingered.

"The Shadow King’s origin is with the Yeon family."

Of all things, I knew that the Shadow King was a descendant of Yeon Il-cheon, and Sichuan was a place where traces of the Yeon family remained.

So knowing that he was heading there, too, gave me a peculiar feeling.

"But… is this really alright?"

As I counted the members of our group, it seemed the state of this party heading to Sichuan was becoming quite unusual.

We had Dokwang, the Poison King and head of the Tang family, the Shadow King, who was known as the king of assassins, and one of the Three Grand Masters of Central Plains—Paejon himself.

Each one was a force to be reckoned with, people who could easily intimidate anyone.

"At least we won’t be ambushed."

In terms of safety, we were set. The only way things could go wrong would be if the Shadow King decided to kill everyone.

Besides that, who would be crazy enough to attack a Tang family convoy?

Even if someone tried, I didn’t think it would be much of a problem.

Dokwang had brought considerable forces to escort the criminals to Sichuan.

If he’d known that Paejon and the Shadow King were with us, would he have bothered with such a force?

Probably not, right?

As I thought this, I began to distance myself from the Shadow King. Then someone suddenly wrapped their arms around my neck.

"…?"

It felt more like I was being choked than hugged. I was about to break free when I recognized the familiar scent and paused.

"You’re really going, little brother?"

It was Gu Hui-bi's scent.

"What do you think you’re doing, sister?"

"Are you really going all the way there? Not coming home with me?"

"Yes, I’m going."

"Home?"

"No, to Sichuan."

As I answered, Gu Hui-bi tightened her grip around me.

"What exactly… do you think you’re doing?"

"You’re always running around outside. You’re going through a belated rebellious phase. You used to be so cute."

Listening to her, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

"Rebellious phase? I’m way past that age."

Moreover, the idea that I was somehow cuter back then was just incomprehensible.

After loosening her hold on me, I looked at her, and she was scowling, clearly displeased.

Seeing her like that, trying to look cute, made me feel nauseous.

Had she forgotten her age?

Why was a grown woman acting like this?

"I really don’t like this."

"Sister."

"Yes?"

"Are you planning to get married? You’re well past the usual age."

"..."

I had asked out of genuine curiosity, thinking about her age.

Her expression instantly changed, turning as fierce as a demon.

Seeing that look, I quickly backed off.

"...I was just… wondering."

"Did you want your hair burned off? You know, I’m good at that."

"Sorry."

The fury in her eyes was intense.

I had only asked because I was curious, but clearly, I had struck a nerve.

"Then again, with a personality like that, who would want to marry her?"

She was already well past the typical age for marriage. But Gu Hui-bi had neither engaged nor married—not that she could, in any case.

She hadn’t married in her previous life either, so maybe she intended to stay single forever.

There were other martial artists who chose that path, so it wasn’t unusual, but seeing her reaction suggested it might be on her mind.

"If you decide to come home, I’ll forgive you."

"That’s not possible."

"So stubborn. It’s annoying."

With a click of her tongue, Gu Hui-bi turned her head sharply and walked over to join the others from the Gu family.

"Suit yourself."

She threw a parting shot over her shoulder as she left.

When would that woman finally mellow out?

Probably never.

"Yeah, definitely never."

With our family’s blood, it was unlikely she’d ever change. No sooner had Gu Hui-bi left than Elder Il appeared as if he’d been waiting for his turn.

Why did they keep coming one after another? It’d be easier if they all came at once.

Seeing Elder Il approach, I frowned, and he did the same.

"You scowl the moment you see me. Where are your manners?"

"Are you planning to give me something again? I’m not accepting anything this time."

"Ha! What makes you think I’d want to give you anything?"

"It’s not the giving I mind; it’s that whatever it is, it’s never actually a gift."

Thinking back on everything I’d received from Elder Il, they all seemed to bring trouble.

I wasn’t going to accept anything this time, no matter what it was.

I glared at Elder Il with determination, and sure enough, he started pulling something out of his robe.

I immediately protested.

"I said, I’m not taking it! What are you planning to give me this time?"

"You brat! Do you think I want to give this to you?"

"Then don’t!"

We started bickering, me determined not to accept whatever he had.

Why did he always try to make me his problem-solver?

Just as I was about to escape without taking it, he added,

"This isn’t from me. It’s from your father."

"...What?"

"Like father, like son. You’re both making this old man run errands."

Elder Il grumbled, but my attention was now on the item in his hand.

"My father?"

My father was sending something to me? Glancing over at him, I caught his eye, but he quickly looked away.

It seemed Elder Il was telling the truth.

"What could this be?"

I took the item from him, reasoning that if it wasn’t from Elder Il, it should be fine.

It looked like an ordinary metal badge.

"What is this?"

"How should I know? Your father just asked me to deliver it."

"Then why didn’t he give it to me himself?"

"That’s what I said! If you’re that curious, go ask him."

"No, I think I’ll pass…"

"Ha… Like father, like son, indeed."

Elder Il shook his head, clearly exasperated.

Though things were better between us, I still found it awkward to ask my father about this.

"I suppose it must have a purpose."

With that thought, I tucked the badge into my robe, assuming it wasn’t anything strange.

"Elder, what will you do when you return?"

"What else? I’ll go to sleep."

"...Right."

For all his talk, Elder Il was the busiest person in the Gu family, after my father.

For someone his age, Elder Il was incredibly active, constantly traveling outside the family.

I glanced at him and casually pointed to someone.

"So, are you really taking him with you?"

Elder Il followed my gaze.

Standing there, looking somewhat forlorn, was Gu Jeol-yeop. Elder Il’s face twitched slightly.

I had asked about Gu Jeol-yeop for a reason.

He had previously mentioned he wasn’t coming on the journey to Sichuan.