The Covert Investigation Hall of the Martial Alliance.

This small building, tucked behind the Alliance Lord’s Hall in the main compound, was the Alliance’s secret intelligence arm.

Its job was to gather information from every corner of the land, analyze the movements of the Central Plains, and report them to the Alliance Lord.

Just like now.

With the Alliance Lord absent, Vice Alliance Lord So Jagon was receiving the report in his place. He listened with a grave expression as Covert Investigation Hall Master Lee Jeong spoke.

The bloodshed taking place beneath the surface of the Central Plains was enough to make even So Jagon—who had thought he’d rolled through every kind of ugliness the martial world had to offer—click his tongue.

“So... what you’re saying is that while Mount Hua has its gates shut, the Apostate Alliance is taking root around Xi’an. What a headache.”

“On the surface, it appears to be a matter concerning the lay families, so it would be difficult for the Alliance to intervene. If we handle it carelessly, it may be seen as disrespect toward Mount Hua. But if we leave it alone, Xi’an will become a nest of the unorthodox.”

So Jagon rubbed his forehead, then looked up at Lee Jeong.

“I understand. Once the Alliance Lord returns, we should discuss this matter again. It isn’t something I can decide on my own. Anything else?”

“Traces of the Demonic Sect have been found on the border between Sichuan and Hubei.”

“So Demonic Sect members have appeared?”

“They did not show themselves directly, no... but there has been a great deal of rain lately, has there not? A farmer reported to the authorities that he found a corpse in a mound of earth that had collapsed in the rain. When the officials went to confirm it, the marks left on the body resembled traces of demonic arts, so they sent a request to the Alliance for an investigation.”

“It was demonic arts?”

“Yes. There were indeed traces of demonic arts. A faint demonic qi remained in the sword wounds.”

“That’s serious. We still haven’t resolved the demon-bow matter, and now those vile things are running wild in every direction across the Central Plains...”

“There is one more problem. There were traces of Hwagol Powder used on the corpse. A Butterfly Dart was also found nearby.”

Lee Jeong reached into his robes, took something out, and set it on the table.

So Jagon frowned.

“Isn’t this a Soul-Chasing Butterfly Dart? A Tang Sect weapon. Are you saying the Tang Sect is colluding with the Demonic Sect?”

“I cannot say for certain. The dart was merely found in the vicinity. Whether the Sichuan Tang Clan has any connection to the Demonic Sect is something we must investigate from here on.”

Lee Jeong’s voice was low and serious as he looked So Jagon straight in the eye.

“May I send men to Chengdu in your name, Vice Alliance Lord?”

“Do it. I’ll report it to the Alliance Lord myself.”

So Jagon nodded and absently turned the Butterfly Dart over in his fingers.

Worry clouded his eyes as he looked at the dart’s blunted edge.

*****

CLACK!

Our chopsticks struck in midair with a sharp crack.

I frowned and lowered mine toward the plate again.

But Yeon Ryang had no intention of letting me take a dumpling. He lightly flicked my chopsticks aside, then stretched out his left hand and stole the dumpling clean away.

“Brother!”

What kind of lunatic used martial arts to steal dumplings? Honestly.

The moment I snapped, Yeon Ryang bit into the dumpling and wagged the rest of it at me in deliberate provocation.

I glared at the dumpling disappearing into his mouth, then drummed both hands against the table.

“Another plate of dumplings here!”

“Haha. You’re eating more, little sister?”

“That’s rich coming from the man who finished a whole plate by himself.”

He was so irritating. Seriously.

I gulped down a mouthful of tea in a huff.

As if he were trying to keep my spirits from sinking, Yeon Ryang had been teasing me every chance he got.

For seven days and nights.

At first I’d been grateful. Now all I could think was that I wanted to punch him at least once. The only tragic part was that I didn’t have the ability to do it.

“One plate of dumplings.”

“They’re mine.”

I dragged the fresh plate toward myself while glaring at Yeon Ryang, and just then several martial artists in training clothes came pouring into the inn. They looked like they belonged to one of Wudang’s lay families.

I flinched and dropped my gaze straight to the dumplings. I hadn’t done anything wrong, but for some reason my spirit shrank anyway.

A moment ago I’d been acting like I could eat the entire plate by myself, but I slowly pushed it back toward the middle. Yeon Ryang spoke in a teasing voice.

“What, did you suddenly lose your appetite? Then I’ll eat them.”

“Go ahead.”

I answered weakly. At some point Cane had climbed onto the table and neatly grabbed a dumpling in both little paws.

That little sable really had impeccable timing when it came to darting in and out.

I snorted under my breath as I watched Cane bite into the dumpling skin.

Wudang’s influence in Hubei was beyond anything I’d imagined.

Everywhere we went, there were merchant houses, escort agencies, and estates established by lay disciples of Wudang.

It had already been quite a while since we left Gyun County, and it was still like that.

Now I understood why Yeon Ryang had kept holding himself back. Regardless of how strong he was, this was the kind of place where trouble was inevitable.

A man from the Demonic Sect and a wanted fugitive wandering around the heart of an orthodox stronghold.

What an incredible combination.

Laughing bitterly at myself, I called over the inn runner and paid for the food.

“You leaving, little sister?”

“Are you finished?”

“Mm. Let’s go.”

Yeon Ryang, who had somehow already put the last dumpling into his mouth, rose from his seat. We stepped out of the inn together.

There had been no more attacks after the carriage overturned.

For a day or two Yeon Ryang had stayed on guard and gone without sleep, but by the third day he seemed to relax and started snoring away at night.

After that, it was eat, walk, sleep, eat, walk, sleep...

The road all the way to Wuhan was well laid, so walking wasn’t especially hard.

Watching the people passing by was entertaining too.

Though to be honest, I couldn’t tell whether I was the one watching people or the one being watched. Everyone who passed us stole at least one glance at Yeon Ryang.

“This brother of yours must be quite a sight. No one can take their eyes off me.”

“No. It’s just because you’re huge.”

“What? Look again, Gyeonga. Where are you going to find a man like your brother?”

If it wasn’t because he was huge, then it was probably because he looked intimidating.

I let out a quiet laugh and ignored him, and then an old man who had been looking at us spoke.

“You two are siblings? You look alike.”

“Hm? Ah, well...”

“We are,” Yeon Ryang answered smoothly before I could stumble over myself. “I’m Yeon Ryang, and this is my sister, Yeon Gyeonga.”

My own birth father had cast me aside, saying I was not his daughter, and Yeon Ryang was introducing me as his sister.

I knew he hadn’t meant anything profound by it, but for a moment it still made something inside me feel strange.

When I glanced at him, he winked as if to say not to worry about it.

I gave an awkward smile and kept walking. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

After a long while, I saw a vast city in the distance, pierced straight through by a great river.

Wuhan.

*****

Wuhan was a fascinating city.

The Yangtze flowed straight through it, and all over the city there were lakes and smaller waterways.

Maybe because of that, it seemed more developed by water than by land. There looked to be more people traveling by skiff than people walking.

On the riverbank stood a tall tower that drew the eye even from far away. It had to be the Yellow Crane Tower Yeon Ryang had mentioned.

My eyes widened, darting from place to place at the unfamiliar sight, and Yeon Ryang laughed under his breath.

“Oh, little sister. When you’re on your own, don’t act like such a country bumpkin. Close your eyes for one second in a place like this and someone will cut your nose off.”

“It’s not that bad.”

I grumbled and shot him a look, then realized there was something strange in what he’d said.

When you’re on your own.

But as Yeon Ryang went on speaking, I understood what I’d failed to notice.

“In Wuhan, those orthodox prigs are everywhere, so truly dangerous things don’t happen all that often. Don’t stay by yourself if you can help it. Stick to crowded places.”

Our traveling together had only been until Wuhan.

Now that we had reached Wuhan, there was no reason for him to keep accompanying me.

My lips parted, then I slowly nodded. Only then did it feel real that I was about to part with Yeon Ryang.

We’d grown close over the past stretch of road. It was a shame. Having him beside me had made me feel secure.

“In a big city, there are swindlers everywhere. Be careful who you trust, little sister. Watch people closely.”

“Yes.”

“You should spend at least one night at the Dragon Gate Inn. And don’t forget to visit the Yellow Crane Tower too.”

“I will.”

After giving his advice, Yeon Ryang laced his hands behind his neck and smiled faintly.

“Well, then. Time to part.”

Just like that? Without even giving me time to prepare myself?

But I couldn’t stop him. He had already helped me so much that I’d found myself wondering more than once why he was going this far for me.

I steadied myself and forced a smile in return.

“Thank you. For everything.”

“Take care, little sister.”

“You too, Brother.”

“Chit!”

“All right, furball. You take care too.”

Yeon Ryang snorted softly and ran his large hand over my head.

Then he turned away without hesitation. He did it so quickly it almost hurt my feelings.

The spot where his warmth had lingered cooled at once.

Would we ever meet again?

This time, I hoped he would live a long life.

I hoped he would never suffer from loneliness. Never sacrifice himself for someone else. I hoped he would live peacefully.

Because he was a good person.

Even after seeing Yeon Ryang off, I couldn’t make my feet move.

I just stood there, watching his back grow smaller in the distance.

He was so tall he stood out anywhere. Even after he had shrunk to a tiny speck, he still didn’t disappear from view.

Just as he seemed about to melt into the crowd, Yeon Ryang suddenly stopped.

He scratched the back of his head, tilted it, then looked behind him.

Next he craned his neck and peered this way, as if searching for someone.

Then his eyes met mine.

Yeon Ryang muttered something under his breath, smiled to himself, and started walking back toward me.

Startled, I stood there awkwardly and waited for him to come closer.

Maybe he had simply forgotten something else he needed to do and thought I was mistaken for coming back.

Yeon Ryang strode straight over, stopped in front of me as if it were nothing, and held out his hand.

“Come on, Gyeonga.”

“What?”

“How could a brother walk away when his sister is standing here looking like that?”

Yeon Ryang chuckled and looked at me with clear, bright eyes.

In those eyes, I saw my own face.

I looked like I was about to cry.

Only then did I understand.

Ah...

I’d been afraid of being left alone.

When I couldn’t answer right away, Yeon Ryang spoke again.

“Come with me.”

His voice was gentle, as if telling me there was nothing to worry about. The corners of his mouth curved softly upward.

I bit my lip hard.

You ridiculously kind extra.

There was nothing for him to gain by helping me. All I did was add one more burden he had to look after.

And still, still, he had come back for me...

Heat rushed into my face. The {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} tip of my nose stung, and my eyes burned.

Yeon Ryang didn’t rush me. He only waited for my answer.

After standing there for a long time, I finally reached out and took his hand.

“...Yes. Let’s go together.”