"Where have you been?"

The moment I stepped into the quarters, Gubong was the first to greet me with a pointed question.

Not just him—the other disciples were also staring at me with uneasy expressions.

“Just went for a little walk.”

“...All of a sudden?”

“Yeah.”

“...”

Gubong’s suspicious gaze lingered on me.

He clearly didn’t believe me, but so what? It wasn’t like that changed anything.

If he didn’t believe it, what was he going to do about it?

“What are you staring at? Got too much time on your hands? I doubt you’re free to be standing around like this.”

“All because of someone....”

“What?”

“Nothing....”

Gubong’s expression grew troubled as he cut himself off.

It seemed like something was weighing on his mind.

“It’s good that you’ve returned safely, but there’s no way we’re leaving here anytime soon.”

His expression was grim.

“Since you already caused a commotion with Baek Doryeong, the White family is bound to have fortified their defenses—”

“That won’t be an issue.”

“...Huh?”

My confident remark made Gubong narrow his eyes.

It won’t be an issue?

“What do you mean by that? Why would you think so...?”

“Oh, I overheard something while on my walk.”

I smiled faintly at his puzzled expression and replied.

“Apparently, something big happened outside.”

“...?”

Gubong tilted his head, confused.

*******

In the bustling district of Yahwol Palace, the streets were far more chaotic than usual.

“What’s going on?”

“How could something like this suddenly happen...?”

“Haven’t you heard yet?”

Humanoids with partial beast features gathered in small groups, exchanging words in hushed tones.

Unease and tension were written all over their faces.

It couldn’t be helped.

“I heard the Lord was attacked.”

“What...? The Lord? Who would dare attack him?”

“They said it was Lord Baek Wol.”

“What...?”

Among the four great families of Yahwol Palace, the White family was infamous for its violent nature.

Lord Baek Wol, the leader of the White family, was known for his ferocious demeanor, amplified by the blessings of the moon. His wild and fearsome presence sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest warriors.

Yet the news of Baek Wol being attacked left everyone stunned.

More so...

“I heard he could barely resist.”

“What? Lord Baek Wol couldn’t fight back?”

“Exactly. And they say it wasn’t even a sneak attack.”

“That’s... impossible....”

The rumor spread like wildfire, sweeping through the crowds at breakneck speed.

“Who could’ve done it?”

“I heard from one of the attendants that... they mentioned something. What was it again? Oh, right.”

Cheonma.

“They said it was Cheonma.”

“Cheonma...? What in the world is that...?”

Amid the murmurs spreading through the streets, Gubong furrowed his brows deeply.

“This is...”

What in the world was going on?

The scene before him made no sense, and Gubong struggled to comprehend it.

“...Lord Baek Wol was attacked out of nowhere?”

Baek Wol, the head of the White family.

‘A pureblood supremacist with long, wild hair and piercing blue eyes.’

That was the Baek Wol Gubong remembered.

“...A half-breed. Useless.”

A low voice crept into Gubong’s thoughts.

It felt like memories he had buried were resurfacing.

‘...Damn it.’

Clenching his fists, Gubong shook his head.

Why was he dredging up old memories now?

He was different now. He wasn’t the same as before.

“You just ran away.”

“...”

Gu Yangcheon’s voice echoed in his mind.

Gritting his teeth, Gubong closed his eyes tightly.

“Phew...”

The sigh he let out was deep and weary.

As his mind spun in confusion, a familiar voice jolted him back to the present.

“I already told you earlier.”

Gubong flinched.

That voice—identical to the one he had just remembered—sent a chill down his spine.

“Do you really have time to stand around slacking off?”

“...”

“We need to move, don’t we? Or am I wrong?”

At Gu Yangcheon’s pointed remark, Gubong opened his eyes.

He was right.

‘...The situation has improved in our favor.’

A noble had been beaten.

And not just any noble—someone directly tied to the White family, a key player in their dealings.

Baek Doryeong had already harbored animosity toward Gubong. He had anticipated that the incident might be used against him.

‘But with things like this...’

With their lord being attacked and left in shambles, the White family wouldn’t have the time to focus on petty matters.

Even so, Gubong couldn’t shake his unease.

‘...Could this really have happened by chance?’

The situation seemed too convenient, as if orchestrated to provide them a way out.

“...Surely not.”

He halted mid-step and looked at Gu Yangcheon.

Surely not, right?

‘...Did he attack Baek Wol?’

Could it be that he deliberately assaulted Baek Wol to create this opportunity?

The thought crossed his mind, but...

‘No way.’

Gubong immediately dismissed it. That would be taking things too far.

Baek Wol was the head of the White family—a warrior of immense power.

‘Are we to believe that this “honored guest” overpowered him?’

And all in such a short span of time? Gubong didn’t think so.

Still...

‘...But what if?’

He couldn’t entirely rule it out.

As he cast a suspicious glance at Gu Yangcheon...

“What are you staring at? Look ahead.”

“...”

Gu Yangcheon growled, and Gubong instinctively looked away.

He flinched at the realization.

Why am I so intimidated?

His pride took a hit, but he didn’t dare meet Yangcheon’s gaze again.

As they approached the entrance, the tense atmosphere became palpable.

“Move! We must find him!”

“Don’t let anyone leave the area!”

The gatekeepers, who usually stood idly, were now scanning the surroundings with tense expressions.

Seeing this, Gubong’s brows furrowed.

‘At this rate... we won’t be able to leave.’

Even if they weren’t directly detained, the aftermath of the attack would force a lockdown on movement.

Could they really get out under these circumstances?

As doubt crept into Gubong’s mind, Gu Yangcheon stepped forward.

“Excuse me.”

“...!?”

Gubong froze in shock as Yangcheon addressed the gatekeeper.

The already frazzled guard’s expression twisted further at being interrupted.

“What do you want?”

“Oh, I just need to step outside. Is that possible right now?”

Yangcheon’s casual tone only deepened the gatekeeper’s scowl.

“Do you not see what’s happening? Of course you can’t—”

“Aw, come on, don’t be like that.”

Before the guard could finish, Yangcheon slipped something into his hand.

The gatekeeper’s expression shifted immediately.

“...Hmph.”

“We have a proper contract, and we’ve already received our supplies. Surely we can leave now, can’t we?”

“...Contract? Wait, you’re from... Ah.”

Realizing something, the gatekeeper scrutinized Yangcheon’s robes.

“You’re from Mount Hua? Here for the food supplies?”

“That’s right. We’ve already finished our business, so can’t you let us through?”

“Well, even so... there’s still a protocol to—”

“Oh, come on... no need to be so rigid.”

"Where did you get that money?"

As soon as Gu Yangcheon handed over another "friendly gesture" to the gatekeeper, the man’s expression softened even more.

“...Ahem...”

The gatekeeper’s resolve melted away, and he subtly stepped aside, pointing toward the exit.

“—Make sure to double-check.”

Then, pretending not to notice, he turned his gaze elsewhere.

It was an implicit invitation to pass through quickly.

“All set.”

Gu Yangcheon smirked, waved to the disciples, and gestured for them to follow.

“Let’s go.”

The abrupt resolution left Gubong dumbfounded.

“What just happened? How did that work?”

Pulling the cart out of the gates, the disciples still wore dazed expressions.

“How did we even manage to get out?”

Watching their confusion, Gu Yangcheon spoke up.

“If we’re out, then good. What are you all standing around for?”

“...But, Sir. How did you manage this...?”

At Gubong’s question, Gu Yangcheon clicked his tongue.

“There’s no such thing as a closed door if you ask nicely.”

“...That’s ridiculous.”

If the world were that kind, things wouldn’t be in such a mess to begin with. Gubong refuted firmly, but Gu Yangcheon merely grinned.

“That’s just because you don’t know how to ask properly.”

“What do you mean—?”

“You idiot. Kindness isn’t a manner. It’s this.”

Gu Yangcheon made a gesture with his fingers, forming a circle with his thumb and index finger.

“Money.”

If the world isn’t kind, it’s because you don’t have enough money.

Gu Yangcheon handed a bribe to the gatekeeper.

“...”

Gubong’s face twisted with disbelief.

“So... you bribed them?”

“Bribe? Call it kindness.”

“That’s just—”

Gubong started to argue but stopped himself.

Fine. It worked. The bribe worked, but...

“...Where did you get the money?”

How could he have gotten the money to bribe the gatekeeper?

As far as Gubong knew, Gu Yangcheon didn’t carry any money. He hadn’t even known what Yahwol Palace was until recently.

“Did you steal it?”

Gu Yangcheon’s brows furrowed.

“What the hell are you talking about, you lunatic? Steal? Who do you take me for?”

“...”

“...Why aren’t you denying it? Damn it!”

“...”

Gubong said nothing, unsure if Gu Yangcheon was joking or serious.

“Then you didn’t steal...?”

“Want me to hit you?”

“...”

If he didn’t steal it, then where did he get the money?

“Tsk. I got it the right way. ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) Don’t worry about it—it won’t cause any problems.”

Gu Yangcheon clicked his tongue and strode ahead.

Though Gubong still looked suspicious, he dropped the matter.

It wasn’t stolen, nor taken by force.

The truth was...

‘I made it.’

Using his power, Gu Yangcheon created the money.

He had taken a quick look at the local currency to replicate it.

It wasn’t difficult, though slightly tedious due to the differences from Zhongyuan’s coins.

He had handed the counterfeit money to the gatekeeper and walked away.

‘By now, it’s probably vanished.’

The money would have disappeared with time.

The gatekeeper was likely having a meltdown, thinking he had lost it or been robbed.

‘In any case, we’re out.’

Glancing back, the grand walls of Yaweolgung grew smaller in the distance.

‘...But I’ll probably have to return at some point.’

The thought crossed his mind, but he continued moving forward.

********

Flicker.

A dim lantern barely illuminated the darkened hallway.

A man in scorched black clothing hurried forward, his lips pressed tight in urgency.

Arriving before a large door, he stopped to catch his breath, wiping away the sweat from his brow.

Knock, knock.

The man rapped on the door cautiously.

Despite making his presence known, silence greeted him.

Knock, knock.

He knocked again, more insistently this time.

When silence persisted, he raised his hand to knock once more, but...

“Who is it?”

A dry, raspy voice came from behind the door.

The man swallowed nervously and answered.

“It's Yeom Eon, my Lord. I have urgent news...”

“Enter.”

Creeeak—!

Before Yeom Eon could move, the door opened on its own.

He hadn’t touched it.

Steeling himself, he stepped through the doorway on trembling feet.

As he entered, the light vanished.

Darkness engulfed him, leaving only the faint outline of a table ahead.

Sitting at that table was a shadowy figure.

The figure was shrouded in black, the darkness so absolute that even their face couldn’t be discerned.

Yeom Eon wasn’t curious.

He immediately knelt, avoiding any eye contact.

The figure exuded an aura of pure darkness.

Staring at it for too long would surely consume him as well.

“What is it?”

The shadow’s voice broke the silence.

Suppressing his trembling, Yeom Eon answered.

“...The White family’s leader has been attacked and is now bedridden.”

“Hmm?”

The shadow seemed intrigued.

“Baek Wol?”

“Yes... That’s correct.”

“By whom?”

More than the fact that Baek Wol had been attacked, the shadow seemed curious about who the assailant was.

“...We haven’t identified them yet.”

The air rippled faintly.

It was clear that the Lord’s mood had soured.

Sensing the tension, Yeom Eon quickly added.

“B-but that’s not the main issue.”

The air grew still—not settled, but waiting.

“Today... one of the White family’s bloodline was also harmed.”

“By ‘bloodline,’ do you mean that imbecile?”

The noble offspring so incompetent that their name wasn’t even worth remembering.

“Yes, my Lord.”

“And?”

“Well... it seems that the first heir is somehow involved.”

Vwoom.

“Urk...!!”

Yeom Eon clutched his chest as the air around him violently churned.

“Is that so?”

The shadow’s words were calm, but...

“Interesting.”

The faint undertone of fury was unmistakable.