The walk back to Magok was light. The situation had flowed in our favor, and it felt as though we had completed the task successfully.

Isipguho tugged on my sleeve, her grip firm and insistent. It was a gesture she hadn't used before, and it carried an air of newfound confidence.

Her shoulders were slightly raised, her voice tinged with excitement.

She poured out her words like a melody.

"So, you see, I used Danhonchu like this...!"

Was she that delighted about defeating Guk Jinmyeong?

I didn’t know much about her fight, but I did know that what she achieved was only possible because she staked her life on it.

Isipguho.

Why is it that everyone who bears that number always leaves such a favorable impression?

"...If it weren’t for Isipguho, the head of the Sama family would surely have died."

"Right? It’s all thanks to me. I didn’t give up and kept pushing forward...!"

"I heard from Myo Yerin of the Sahyeoldae. She said you asked her to save me."

"Well... that’s because we’re comrades. Besides, it was basically after the fight had already ended, wasn’t it?"

She turned her head with a feigned indifference. I let out a small chuckle.

"My life hung by a thread in that moment. Even if I had extended my sword for the final strike, I might have won, but I would undoubtedly have died."

"......"

"I owe you my life, Isipguho."

"Well, I owe something too, so let’s just call it even. There’s no reason to thank me. Got it?"

"Even so, thank you."

"Hmph."

Isipguho walked ahead but then spun around to face me.

"Remember that, and act accordingly."

Her brusque remark revealed her personality.

At first, I thought she was a strange and unapproachable person...

But perhaps that was just my misconception.

She didn’t seem to fit the atmosphere of the Heavenly Demon Sect. And that was what made her so likable.

Her humanity seeped through, even at the tip of her sword.

"I will do my best, Isipguho."

"Hmph..."

She drew out the end of her response, then suddenly tossed a question at me.

"Did you know?"

"Know what?"

"I know Samsipho’s face."

"You’ve seen it?"

"I couldn’t help it. Even though it’s forbidden for Blood Demon Unit members to see each other’s faces, isn’t life more important than that rule?"

"That’s a fair point, but..."

She had seen my face. Should I have let her?

No, hadn’t I already revealed my name anyway?

I mulled it over before casually asking her.

"Are you trying to blackmail me?"

"Are you insane?! Of course not! I’m just saying! I’m not the type to go around spilling someone else’s secrets, alright?"

For some reason, I could feel a sharpness in her gaze even from behind her mask.

"Do you think I’m that kind of person, Samsipho?"

"No, I was just curious about the intent behind your words. Someone who risks their life for others can’t possibly be a shallow person."

"You’ve got a way with words. But that’s not why I brought it up. Hmm, well... it’s like this."

Isipguho hesitated for a moment.

"It’s just that I hate owing people. I don’t want you to feel like I’m holding anything over you, so let’s call it even. Got it?"

"Excuse me?"

She raised a hand to her mask, pulled it off in one swift motion, and brushed her hair back as she turned to look at me.

What had been concealed by her tightly wrapped bandages now bloomed like a hidden flower coming into full bloom, freezing time for an instant.

Flowing white hair. Beautiful eyes.

Her otherworldly appearance left me speechless. Her violet eyes were so captivating that she hardly seemed human.

More than beautiful, there was something...

Something almost ethereal about her.

The kind of beauty that would leave one hesitant to even speak if encountered on the street. If Eun Seolran was a fierce cat, this was a sharp, cunning fox.

I stammered out a response.

"That... is very different from what I imagined."

"...That’s all you’ve got to say?"

I averted my gaze. Since joining the Heavenly Demon Sect, I had already encountered three remarkable beauties:

Cheonma Cheon Soso.

Eun Seolran, the disciple of Sama.

And now, Isipguho, or Baek Mae.

"That’s not... it."

"Then what is it? Say it."

"It’s just that..."

Even as I said it, I knew it wasn’t the right thing to say. And yet, the words came out.

"Are all the women of the sect this beautiful?"

"What?"

Even after the words left my mouth, I realized how ridiculous they sounded. I tried to brush it off.

"...Just forget I said anything."

"Ha! Hahaha! What? What did you just say? Say it again. Huh? What was that?"

"I didn’t say anything."

"You totally did. Come on, don’t deny it. You’re hilarious. So? What were you saying?"

"What could I possibly say?"

"Is that all you’ve got to say, Samsipho Jeok Woon?"

Grinning as if she’d gained the upper hand, she leaned her face closer, her sly gaze peering up at me from below.

Her fox-like mischievousness and seductive air made me sigh in resignation.

"Isipguho."

"Yes?"

"Don’t tempt me. I’m already married to my sword."

"What?!" She sputtered, clearly flustered. "What are you even saying?! I wasn’t trying to tempt you! Are you kidding me?! Do you think I’d ever...?! Unbelievable! Who would even...?! Not in a hundred years, Samsipho!"

Her flustered expression contorted, and only then did I feel my tension ease.

Her lively expressions—it was unmistakably Isipguho.

"As expected, Isipguho is still Isipguho."

"What’s that supposed to mean?!"

"Exactly what it sounds like."

"Argh! That smug expression...! Take off your mask too!"

"It’s against Blood Demon Unit regulations."

"Hey! I took mine off!"

Determined, Isipguho lunged forward and tugged off my mask. She glanced up at me with a huff of breath.

"Well, at least you’re not hard to look at. Better than I thought."

"With all these scars, it’s not exactly a handsome face."

"Scars just make a man’s face more attractive."

"Is that your preference...?"

"N-no, it’s not!"

***

We returned to Magok. The Blood Demon Unit leader didn’t come to see us.

It was simply a matter of returning to our quarters. Isipguho, who had been glancing around cautiously, whispered to me.

"Save these and eat them sparingly."

"Excuse me?"

"One per week, for each of us. Let’s hide them in a crack between the rocks."

Her bag, slightly opened, was packed full of sweets. So that’s why it had seemed heavy. It wasn’t just my imagination—it was genuinely weighed down.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Isipguho jabbed me sharply in the side.

"What are you laughing at? I went out of my way to bring enough for you too, you know!"

"It’s just that the sweets seem unusually sweet—it made me laugh."

"...I don’t think that’s the reason."

"Isipguho, you’re, how should I put it..."

I took one of the sweets she handed me and popped it into my mouth.

"...the kind of person who must have been adored by an older sister."

"What’s that supposed to mean? You’re not mocking me, are you?"

"It means you’re endearing."

"En... endearing?! Have you lost your mind?!"

"I was speaking to myself."

"You said it to my face!"

The Heavenly Demon had said they would summon me. When would that be?

I glanced sideways at my drawn sword. Perhaps it was sturdy by nature, or perhaps it had endured because I imbued it with my energy.

Though its edge was slightly dulled and it showed signs of wear, it hadn’t bent or broken. If it could withstand the Talhongeom, the Soul-Severing Sword, then...

That blacksmith certainly seemed skilled.

I resolved to add a new method to my training. With Ilma’s advice in mind, I decided to forge a new path.

The third form of the Gucheonhyeolmagong (Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique).

Paeryeok Mado (霸力魔道, Overpowering Demon Path).

This form wasn’t swordsmanship or movement technique. It had nothing to do with manipulating the body.

It was pure energy manipulation, amplifying overall physical abilities through internal power.

I attempted it lightly but failed to control it as I wanted. My veins swelled, threatening to burst.

The pain was excruciating. Perhaps not on the level of Cheongeop, the Thousand Tribulations, but it was a level of agony no ordinary person could endure.

It felt like my blood was flowing backward, a sensation of utter chaos. This form was deliberately designed to defy the natural flow.

"AAAAAH! It hurts! What... what is this?!"

Practicing alongside me, Isipguho failed as well, collapsing onto the ground and retching.

"This is insane... it feels like my blood is reversing... this technique is no different from one that shaves away your lifespan! How can anyone possibly learn this...?!"

"...I see."

"Doesn’t it hurt for you, Samsipho?!"

"I can bear it."

"You’re insane! A monster! I’ll take it slow. I haven’t even mastered the modified form of Danhonchu yet..."

Isipguho sniffled. I fell deep into thought.

The sword...

I set it down for a moment.

What I needed to do now was take the first step. Since the third form relied entirely on pure internal energy, it seemed necessary to set the sword aside for now.

I paused my usual training and instead sat quietly, focusing on circulating my internal energy.

I rotated it again and again, endlessly. I concentrated, using every moment outside of eating and sleeping to control the energy within me.

What I thought had been decent energy manipulation revealed many flaws. Though the Gucheonhyeolmagong and Danhonchu had worked well enough, I realized I needed to refine my method before advancing to Paeryeok Mado.

Had I not been overly fixated on the physical?

I had focused too much on outward appearances, neglecting the foundation. I should have strengthened my core just as much as my exterior.

Didn’t I see it during the fight against the Talhongeom? The calm and steady energy that he first unleashed. It didn’t waver; it remained consistent.

And mine?

It had fluctuated wildly, unsteady and erratic. My crimson energy appeared powerful at first glance but crumbled completely after a single clash with the Talhongeom.

I need greater strength. I cannot remain content here. If I grow complacent after reaching the peak, the Heavenly Demon’s back will only grow more distant.

If it’s a goal I’ve set, I will seize it. Whatever it takes, I will catch up.

Even if...

Even if it means sitting here for years, refining my internal energy.

"...Hoo."

I exhaled deeply, repeating the motions of breathing in and out.

I felt the flow of energy coursing through my veins. The pain in my head and the resistance from the Thousand Tribulations gradually mixed and dissolved into everything else.

I operated the Gucheonhyeolmagong endlessly, rotating it again and again. Even when it seemed perfect, I kept going.

As time passed, the technique felt more natural. The teachings of the scriptures seemed to resonate, swirling within my body.

If it were Isipguho before me—acknowledged by the Sama (Four Demons)—she would have mastered this in just a few days.

She was a bundle of talent. And what of Ilma? The Heavenly Demon’s first disciple, handpicked through rigorous selection, would have leaped past this stage with ease.

Even Isipguho, or Baek Mae, succeeded in opening the path to Paeryeok Mado before me as she quietly manipulated her internal energy.

"I-I did it!"

"Congratulations."

"...You’ll succeed soon too, Samsipho."

Perhaps. Who knows.

I felt a twinge of envy. Starting later but overtaking me so quickly—it would be strange not to feel jealous.

I was slow to learn, but I didn’t want to leave that envy as just a negative emotion.

If I had time to feel jealous, I would use it to strengthen what I already had. Rotate it again and again, press forward, and seize what I desired.

I was an ordinary person. Not someone worthy of being called a genius, nor particularly talented in martial arts.

...But even so, I knew I could achieve something.

Cling to it with effort. Sacrifice even sleep if necessary. Pour everything into it.

Do it. I can do it. Not out of blind faith but through the results I’ve painstakingly built.

Eventually, the time will come...

"...Ah!"

Roughly two months and ten days later.

I opened my eyes. With a sudden sense of certainty, I activated Paeryeok Mado.

The blood-red energy enveloped my hands, spectral and ghostly, clinging to me as I felt the strength coursing through my clenched fists.

"...It’s done."

My initiation into Paeryeok Mado was complete.

The timing coincided almost exactly with someone summoning me.

"Samsipho."

The Blood Demon Unit leader called for me.

"Follow me."