Jinseong neatly straightened his collar, knelt, and opened a scripture.

His still, pale-gray eyes slowly swept over the characters.

With both hands resting on his knees, he began reading the scripture aloud.

“The Way truly exists, yet ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) it is inactive and formless, and though it may be transmitted by the heart, it cannot be passed down through language. Though it may be grasped by the heart, it cannot be seen...”

But even after reading the scripture for more than fifteen minutes, his disordered mind did not easily settle.

“That which has form and can be seen clearly is born from the vast, unseen chaos... That which has form and can be seen clearly... Ah.”

After reading the same passage three times, Jinseong’s dark brows gradually sharpened into a mountain peak.

He let out a low groan and slowly closed the Taoist scripture.

Instead, he took out his three treasures and arranged them neatly before his eyes.

They were the bronze mirror, seal, and Pine-Pattern Sword he had received on the day he was formally registered as a Wudang disciple.

All three ritual instruments were engraved with Jinseong’s Taoist name.

Jinseong, eighteenth-generation inheritor of the Wudang Sect.

Jinseong quietly looked down at the instruments, then traced the engraved Taoist name with his fingertips and steadied his heart.

He was here as a representative of Wudang’s name. Therefore, he had to perform the mission given to him perfectly.

Having made his decision, Jinseong tucked the ritual instruments into his clothes and hung his sword at his waist. Then he left the guest quarters where he had been staying.

Songhwa and Songgwang, who had been training in the practice yard attached to the guest quarters, saw Jinseong and lowered their swords at an angle.

“Grand-uncle Master.”

“Where are you going, Grand-uncle Master?”

“Songhwa. Where is Captain Peng?”

“She is in the Dragon-Phoenix Division Leader’s office. She went to meet Division Leader Zhuge.”

“I understand.”

Jinseong turned and headed for the Division Leader’s office.

When he stood before the door and made his presence known, Peng Jiyun called from inside.

“Taoist Jinseong. Come in!”

“Then excuse me.”

After answering, Jinseong opened the door.

Inside the Division Leader’s office, Zhuge Hyogang, Red Moon Unit Captain Dam Cheon, Blue Moon Unit Captain Heonwon So, and Black Moon Unit Captain Peng Jiyun were all gathered.

When Jinseong respectfully cupped his fist, Zhuge Hyogang inclined his head, and Dam Cheon returned the gesture in the same way.

Heonwon So frowned, while Peng Jiyun laughed breezily and waved.

“You came at just the right time, Taoist Jinseong. We were talking about you.”

“Sit over here, Taoist Jinseong.”

Zhuge Hyogang indicated an empty chair with the tip of his chin.

“Yes, Division Leader.”

Jinseong answered politely and sat in the chair. At that, Heonwon So, who was sitting to Jinseong’s left, sharpened his gaze.

Peng Jiyun, her eyes full of mischief, looked back and forth between Jinseong and Heonwon So, then slapped Heonwon So on the shoulder.

“Captain Heonwon. Relax your face. Are you that upset about losing to Taoist Jinseong?”

“Who said I lost? It was a draw!”

When Heonwon So snapped at her, Peng Jiyun chuckled teasingly.

“If you fought a young martial artist fresh out in the world who’s more than a full zodiac cycle younger than you and it ended in a draw, then you lost. Wait until Taoist Jinseong reaches your age. You’ll be washed up. Washed up.”

“Peng Jiyun!”

“Blue Moon Unit Captain lost to a twenty-year-old brat. Don’t go around saying you’re part of the Dragon-Phoenix Division. You’ll embarrass me too.”

At Peng Jiyun’s teasing, Heonwon So’s face flushed, and he stammered.

“T-Taoist Jinseong is a different case! And! In terms of seniority, he is above me!”

“Hey. Stop. You look pathetic. Why are you dragging your masters’ seniority into this? You miserable bastard. Listen to your excuses.”

Peng Jiyun’s face went serious as she crossed her legs and leaned back against her chair.

Despite their bickering, Jinseong did not change expression at all and maintained proper posture.

Zhuge Hyogang elegantly fluttered his fan, poured tea into the cup before Jinseong, and asked,

“Taoist Jinseong. You will be returning to Wudang soon, yes?”

“Yes. That is why there is something I wish to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“...I would like to extend my dispatch period.”

Dam Cheon, who had been listening quietly, propped his chin on his hand and looked at Jinseong as if surprised.

“That is unexpected. I thought you would want to return to Wudang.”

“Is there a particular reason?”

“I failed to complete the first mission I was given after coming out on dispatch. I wish to finish it with my own hands before I leave.”

Jinseong answered in an even voice and lowered his gaze to the teacup.

On the clear surface of the tea, the face of Tang Sohae overlapped, her eyes bloodshot as tears fell from them.

...It had been a clear mistake. Even a rat would bite a cat when cornered. He should have handled it with more flexibility.

At Jinseong’s answer, Zhuge Hyogang shrugged as if this worked out well.

“Well, if that is the case, it should not be difficult. That was why we intended to call you.”

“Exactly. This is convenient. Even if we send your third-generation disciples back, we were going to ask whether Taoist Jinseong could stay.”

“What do you mean by that...”

“We plan to form a new combat unit under the Dragon-Phoenix Division. We would like Taoist Jinseong to take the role of captain.”

But Jinseong shook his head without even considering it.

“I thank you for the offer, but that will be difficult.”

“You refuse at once. Why?”

“The order I received from my sect was to lead the third-generation disciples and carry out the Alliance’s mission. I cannot send only the third-generation disciples back to the main mountain. As their grand-uncle master, it is my duty to lead my martial grand-nephews safely back to the main mountain.”

“What a loyal dog. Wudang raised its disciple well. Well, what would someone fresh out in the martial world know? He is still at the age when his master’s words seem like heaven.”

When Heonwon So sneered, Peng Jiyun muttered softly,

“Childish bastard...”

“What? Peng Jiyun, what did you just say?”

“Want me to say it again? I said you’re childish. I’ve never seen a childish bastard like you, Heonwon So. He’s saying the right thing. Do you want to pick a fight with a kid? Moron.”

“You really...!”

“If you’re going to fight, go outside and fight. My ears hurt.”

Dam Cheon covered his ears and snapped in irritation.

Despite Jinseong’s refusal, Zhuge Hyogang did not take offense. With an impassive face, he waved his fan.

“Very well. If that is your intention, Taoist, we will send a request to Wudang regarding your position. You may extend your dispatch period as much as you like.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Taoist Jinseong. You may go now.”

“Yes. Also, there is something I wish to ask Captain Peng. Would you spare me a moment this afternoon?”

“Is it urgent?”

“It is not urgent. It is merely...”

Jinseong hesitated, then closed his mouth at the gazes gathering on him.

“...No. Please pretend you did not hear that. I will take my leave.”

After cupping his fist, Jinseong quickly left the Division Leader’s office.

Rather than asking Captain Peng, it seemed faster and more certain to buy information from the Beggars’ Union.

*****

Tang Sohae.

Sixteen.

Illegitimate child of Tang Clan Head Tang Muheok.

Disciple of the Poison King Tang Jung. Learned the Poison King’s personal martial arts.

Ran away from home at the end of winter and went missing.

Last seen in Wuhan.

Sought by Tang Geunmyeong, Seventh Elder of the Tang Clan.

The information Jinseong obtained from the Beggars’ Union was not much different from what he already knew. However, there was something subtly troubling about it.

“Is it unrelated to the matter of me poisoning the man who was nearly my betrothed?”

“I didn’t kill him. He wasn’t my betrothed either. Someone else killed him and framed me.”

There was no information about the betrothed Tang Sohae had mentioned—or more precisely, the man who had nearly become her betrothed.

Had the Tang Clan deliberately hidden the news?

Marriage matters involving daughters of prestigious clans were sensitive, so it was possible.

If there were a flaw in a product meant to draw out the highest possible value, anyone would try to hide it.

The information that she had run away from home was also difficult to believe.

When Jinseong first invited her to come with him, Tang Sohae had looked terrified.

If she were merely an immature young lady who had left because she was dissatisfied with her clan, there would have been no reason for her to be frightened. If anything, she would have acted brazenly and insisted she would never return.

Tang Sohae’s reaction had been... the reaction of someone being pursued. Had she not been relieved and tried to accompany him when he said it was not a clan matter?

After thinking it over, Jinseong reached his own conclusion.

Was she caught up in a power struggle inside the clan...?

A household with several wives was always bound to have trouble.

If Jinseong’s guess was right, the Soul-Chasing Butterfly Dart said to belong to Tang Sohae might actually belong to someone else.

Or perhaps someone had stolen one of Tang Sohae’s belongings and deliberately dropped it beside a poorly disposed corpse.

After all, an accusation of colluding with the Demonic Sect could remove a competitor decisively.

“Can a Taoist offer someone liquor? Didn’t you say alcohol isn’t allowed inside Jasogung?”

Tang Sohae said strange things he could not understand, but she did not seem to have the nature of someone who killed people.

The poison she had used on Jinseong’s party had only been paralysis poison that left no aftereffects. If she had intended to kill, she would have used lethal poison.

And she would not have broken down and shed tears so pitifully over her companion’s injury.

The swordsman who had been Tang Sohae’s companion was suspicious, but if he were a Demonic Sect member, Jinseong did not think he would have collapsed so helplessly under Peng Jiyun’s saber.

The spies the Demonic Sect planted in the Central Plains were only martial artists who had reached first-rate, but that man’s ability was nothing more and nothing less than that of a third-rate wandering martial artist.

As Jinseong tried to sort through his thoughts, which were as tangled as a skein of thread, he clenched his fist and pressed his lips tight together.

Jinseong’s guesses alone were meaningless. To clearly distinguish the truth, he needed the testimony of the person involved.

Therefore, he had to meet Tang Sohae again.

*****

After saying farewell to the Imperial Noble Consort, we left the hermitage.

Perhaps because we had grown used to hiking in the mountains over the past few months, it did not take long to reach Tianzhu Mountain. Finding Flying-Here Peak was not difficult either.

But the moment we entered the valley west of Flying-Here Peak, I realized I had taken a fortuitous encounter far too lightly.

The entire valley was made of caves.

There were caves inside caves, and more caves inside those caves.

I had casually thought, surely there would not be dozens of caves, but...

It was not dozens.

It was hundreds.

At the headache washing over me, I rubbed my forehead hard.

How was I supposed to find Empty Stone Milk here?

This was driving me insane.