Seolhwa had regained consciousness several days ago, and time had quietly passed since then.

During that interval, Tang Gajin came to Seolhwa in person, knelt before her, and apologized.

Whether it was because he had been severely reprimanded by his father or truly felt remorse for his wrongdoing, his attitude in seeking forgiveness was unexpectedly earnest.

After he left, Tang Clan Head Tang Munryong also visited, informing that Gajin would not be seen for some time.

He handed over the clan head’s token as a sign of his promise that such an incident would never recur, and that Seolhwa could ask for anything she needed at any time.

Officially, the incident was announced as an unfortunate accident caused by the medicine Seolhwa took before the banquet reacting badly with spices in the food.

Because Seolhwa also wished to avoid escalation, the banquet incident was settled at a suitable point.

“The Tang Clan also returned to their main house this morning. Now only we remain.”

Hwarin rested one arm on the table, leaning sideways as she looked at Seolhwa.

The Murong and Peng Clans had departed earlier, and the Tang Clan returned to their main house this morning.

After seeing off all the great clans, the Namgoong family planned to depart for Anhui at dawn the next day.

“How is your body, sister?”

“It’s fine now. The internal injury healed long ago.”

Seolhwa’s body had completely recovered over the past several days.

She diligently cultivated her Qi to restore the disturbed flow, and both Namgoong Mucheon and Cheongun personally inspected her condition.

Choryeon also brought various beneficial medicines to feed Seolhwa, scolding her for what would have happened if she had not accompanied her.

The expensive herbs were procured from the Zhuge Clan.

“Do you know how shocked I was when you collapsed? That brat Tang Gajin—I knew from the moment he started picking fights at the inn. That kind of guy’s internal energy should be completely destroyed.”

Hwarin suddenly stood, clenching her fists.

Though they tried not to reveal the truth to Woong and Hwarin, it was impossible to keep it entirely secret.

“How can a person be so wicked? Is he really the son of a righteous clan? Well, the Tang Clan is...” 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

“You shouldn’t say that, Hwarin.”

Woong, sitting quietly with perfect posture, spoke, listening to their conversation.

“Do you know how terrifying and exceptional the Tang Clan’s poison arts are? If they are your enemy, they are the most dangerous foe. You should be grateful there is any chivalry left in them.”

“Even though your sister ended up like that because of that Tang brat, you still say that? What chivalry remains? So he secretly poisoned someone’s tea?”

“That’s a matter of Tang Gajin’s personal character...”

“Enough! You and Hwi are exactly the same.”

Woong frowned slightly.

“What do you mean? Why bring up Hwi all of a sudden?”

“What else could it mean? Think carefully.”

Hwarin stuck out her tongue at Woong, then got up.

“Sister, I have something to do, so I’ll be going! Rest well! See you tomorrow!”

She waved brightly and left the room.

Woong, staring at the closed door with a frown, turned to Seolhwa.

“What does it mean, sister?”

Seolhwa shrugged while gathering her outer garment.

“Well, think about it. You’re smart.”

Woong stood and asked,

“Where are you going this evening?”

“I’m going for a walk.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No. You’re busy thinking. I’ll go alone.”

“But if you collapse alone...”

“Do you think I’m that weak?”

Woong, worried about sending Seolhwa out alone, tried to follow her until the end.

The image of his sister coughing up blood and collapsing had left a deep impression.

“Shall we have a proper sparring match sometime?”

Seolhwa cracked her fingers, and Woong hurriedly shook his head.

Smiling at his adorably wide eyes, she left the room alone.

“I’ll be back soon. Rest while I’m gone.”

Outside, Seolhwa looked around at the paths leading in all directions.

She heard the elders of the Namgoong and Zhuge Clans were having their last meal together.

There would be many people there.

“This way.”

Seolhwa started walking along a less-traveled path.

Unlike the Namgoong estate, the buildings of the Zhuge Clan were relatively modest for a prestigious family.

Unadorned and simple.

The interior of the manor seemed to reflect the nature of the Zhuge family members.

The trees and planted flowers followed the same pattern.

The modest yet beautiful garden was clean and tranquil.

“The Tang Clan Head said he would support the cause.”

According to her grandfather Namgoong Mucheon, the Tang Clan Head had agreed to the founding of the Orthodox Alliance not merely for gain.

The persuasion had gone more smoothly than expected.

Though the talks had started unfavorably due to Gajin’s wrongdoing, what moved the Tang Clan Head was ultimately justice.

He was also one of the heads of the five great clans representing the righteous sects.

Her grandfather’s unwavering will had convinced him.

“This time, I was hasty.”

She had only seen the situation, not the people.

This was a righteous sect, valuing righteousness and chivalry—not the Blood Demon or Black Path Cult.

She had been the one acting only from self-interest.

“Will I someday come to think like them?”

She understood with her head that one must endure loss for righteousness, but did not truly accept it.

She still thought Seop Mugwang’s choice to rush into death four years ago was wrong.

Yet now, she respected that sometimes such a choice is possible.

It was somewhat admirable.

For now, that was enough.

Ting—

The sound of insects chirping came.

Seolhwa suddenly looked around.

Though the sky was dark with thick clouds, beyond them, a faint light revealed its presence.

No matter how dense the clouds, they could not cover the entire sky.

Thinking she wanted to be like that sky, she took a deep breath.

“?”

She felt a familiar energy.

Subtle, but unmistakably an energy she remembered.

Where had she sensed this before?

While rummaging through vague memories, suddenly—

‘Cheongung Gwidu (Ghost Head of the Heavenly Palace)...?’

Seolhwa sharply turned toward the direction of the energy.

It was the same energy she had felt in the secret chamber of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Divine Fighting Technique in the mountain and volcanic areas.

The way it subtly revealed its presence resembled the traces left in those two places.

‘Why is the energy of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Divine Fighting Technique in the Zhuge Clan’s estate?’

She had thought she might someday find it by chance—but not here.

Entranced, she moved toward the source of the energy.

She touched her neck.

Fortunately, she wore the necklace made by stringing together pieces of the jade token.

The faint energy grew gradually stronger.

As it thickened, Seolhwa became certain.

‘This is definitely a trace of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Divine Fighting Technique.’

It felt as if she had entered the formation of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Divine Fighting Technique.

And it was no mere feeling; the sky darkened further and a chilling energy enveloped her.

The closer to the source, ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) the more overgrown the trees and plants became.

Though just moments ago she had been strolling the Zhuge estate’s garden, now it felt like walking deep into the forest.

The broken, ruined stone floor gradually changed into bare earth.

The surroundings were silent, and the mist thickened.

“...”

Seolhwa stopped walking.

A small gate appeared before her.

It stood alone without walls.

Behind it was an ordinary forest view.

A single gate stood tall in the middle of the woods.

Seolhwa’s gaze shifted to the large emblem painted on the gate.

Clack.

She took out the pieces of the jade token from her bosom, matched two pieces, and held them against the gate.

The emblem on the jade token matched the emblem on the gate.

‘Here it is.’

The place of the final piece of the Ten-Thousand-Mile Divine Fighting Technique.

Her heart pounded.

Finding the last piece was thrilling, but the possibility of finding the divine relic made it even more exciting.

There was no need to hesitate.

As she approached the gate to enter—

“It would be best if you did not enter there.”

“!”

Seolhwa turned around.

Startled because she had felt no sign of anyone approaching.

“I apologize if I startled you. I happened to see you come here and could not just pass by without following.”

A man politely bowed to Seolhwa.

“My name is Zhuge Hwi.”

Dressed neatly, his movements refined and graceful.

His thick, straight eyebrows and flawless facial features.

His calm demeanor gave him an aura that seemed incapable of spilling even a drop of blood if stabbed.

“I didn’t even know you had come.”

Zhuge Hwi gestured with the folding fan he held, indicating the surroundings.

“It is difficult to detect presence here. There is a formation that disturbs the senses.”

“I knew about the formation.”

“Do you know about formations?”

“A little.”

Seolhwa pointed at the gate and asked,

“What is beyond this?”

Zhuge Hwi looked toward the gate.

“I do not know. I have never been there.”

“Then why do you forbid entering if you don’t even know what lies beyond?”

“I know it is dangerous beyond. There is a thick poisonous mist.”

Seolhwa blinked.

A poisonous mist?

“It is a measure to block intruders.”

“Who blocks them?”

“The one who made the formation.”

Zhuge Hwi tapped his chin lightly with the fan and asked,

“Have you ever heard of the madman of the Zhuge Clan?”