Right after Little Azure Sword Namgung Seong left.

Only Cheon Eujin and I remained in the room where a faint hush lingered.

The quiet held.

After a little time passed, the one who broke it first was Cheon Eujin.

“I’m sorry......”

I tilted my head at his apology.

“For what?”

When I asked, Cheon Eujin slowly curled his hand into a fist.

“I’ve... made this situation when you’re still not well.”

He said it like a criminal confessing, and I scratched my cheek, awkward.

It’s not exactly a situation this guy created, though.

If anything, my side.

No—better to say it was the mess made by that damned old man, Yoo Cheongil.

Damn old man.

“No... it’s fine.”

I answered while hiding as much of my feeling as possible.

“It just means you were that pressed.”

“...”

When I spoke like I understood, Cheon Eujin’s mouth worked soundlessly.

“...Thank you.”

When he finally got out a thanks, I gave a short nod.

“Don’t worry about it. Either way, the one who ended up in a bind is only Young Master Cheon.”

“...”

He’d come into Anhui hiding his identity, working as a low-rank agent.

Then got betrayed by the bodyguard he trusted. Judging by his state, he didn’t look on great terms with the Namgung side, either.

If anyone’s mind was a wreck, it was his.

“...No, that’s... not...”

He tried hard to act like it wasn’t.

Words aren’t truth.

Thinking of that, I picked up a confection from the plate and ate it.

Then he asked me:

“Are you all right, Young Master Bang?”

“Mm? About what?”

“About refusing Young Master Namgung’s offer.”

“Refusing?”

Ah, that patronage thing.

“Well, it just felt... unnecessary.”

That’s what I said, but...

I’m not all right. Fuck...

My inner voice had nothing to do with my words.

My gut still hurt like hell.

If I’d taken it, my life would’ve been a paved road.

Life.

One filthy old man got tangled up with me and made it a total mess.

I pressed down the lips that wanted to jut and asked Cheon Eujin:

“But, Young Master Cheon.”

“Yes.”

“How are you so certain?”

“Pardon...?”

At my question, Cheon Eujin looked puzzled.

“I clearly denied it, not refused.”

Not that I wouldn’t accept the backing.

I denied being the Sword Saint’s successor.

So why did Cheon Eujin take it as a refusal?

Ah, of course, in practice it was a refusal.

With me asking that, he spoke with a face flustered.

“That’s... because...”

“Because I said I was the successor?”

That was what Yoo Cheongil said while using my body.

Thanks to that, the rumor had already spread through the Alliance.

But—

“Do you believe just words?”

“...”

At best, words.

Like I said earlier, words aren’t truth.

With a handful of syllables, how did Cheon Eujin decide I was the Sword Saint’s successor?

“Or is it because of these damned Moon Eyes...”

That grotesquely dyed blue.

Every time I saw my reflection, it was alien.

“It isn’t.”

Cheon Eujin denied it.

If it wasn’t the eyes, then what on earth was he believing?

I had «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» no idea.

“Then what is it?”

“Leaving aside that you said it yourself, I saw it.”

Saw? Saw what?

“When I was very young, I once saw the small galaxy the Sword Saint unfolded for us.”

A memory tinged the fine eyes of Cheon Eujin as if he’d drifted into reverie.

“The moonlight he unfurled with his sword then was something that would stay with me forever. And yet—”

Those eyes now turned to me.

“The sword you unfolded was the same.”

“Mm.”

I gave a slight nod at his words. Even so, the doubt remained.

“Well, isn’t that what all Blue Moon Sect swordsmen unfold?”

The Sword Saint was a Blue Moon Sect swordsman, too.

The Blue Moon sword art was what they used; wouldn’t it all be similar?

That was my thought as I spoke.

“No.”

He flatly said no.

“I’ve never seen anyone in the Blue Moon Sect emit the same light as his sword. Except you, Young Master Bang.”

“...”

Of course.

It was the same person who unfolded it.

Granted, the gap in our skill is extreme, so “the same” isn’t quite right. Still, it seemed Cheon Eujin noticed subtle differences I didn’t know.

“The night you gave me insight, the way you revealed yourself to save me— I’m grateful for it all.”

What the hell did he do?

What did he do with this body to make his eyes like that?

I couldn’t remember, so it wasn’t easy.

“...Yes... well... yes.”

I couldn’t deny it, so I gave a shallow nod.

Moving, I spun my head tight.

“And so... there’s something I wish to ask of you.”

Here we go—getting to the point.

I knew this flow.

What Cheon Eujin had wanted to say to me since yesterday.

The moment I was ready to hear it—

“...Could you become the Young Lord of the Blue Moon Sect?”

“Pardon?”

The head that had been turning cooled off.

“...Young Lord?”

“I know it’s sudden. I also know you’ve been living with your identity hidden, and—”

“No, skip that. Why?”

“Excuse me?”

“Young Master Cheon. Weren’t you the one who meant to become Young Lord?”

“Wha...?”

From his reaction, I realized I’d gotten it wrong.

Uh— that’s not it.

I must have been thinking wrong; I rubbed my nose, embarrassed.

“...I figured you were going to ask me to help you become Young Lord.”

Startled, Cheon Eujin’s eyes widened.

“Ah...”

Then, with his expression a little subdued, he added:

“At first I did consider making that request.”

He looked like he was smiling and crying at once.

“...But grasping for it with greed—neither my measure nor the worth of that seat fits. Rather... I think it right that you, who carry on his advance, be the one to reach it.”

“...”

Is that sincere? I stared at him, but sadly, I don’t know any trick to read a heart from eyes.

“Yes...”

Does he have some other motive? I didn’t get that feeling.

It just snagged at me.

Maybe reading something else in my face, he spoke:

“I know... that you wish to live with your identity hidden, Young Master Bang. That’s... likely because you know the state of the Blue Moon Sect.”

No, I have no idea.

The state of the Blue Moon Sect?

What’s this now.

I didn’t answer; I just listened.

“And that’s why... I know it isn’t a state for me to indulge any ambition.”

“Mm.”

“...If things continue and she becomes Young Lord of the Blue Moon Sect—”

“Whoa, stop there.”

I cut him off.

“Hold it. I’ve got a lot to sort; I’ll hear the rest later.”

What came next seemed the most important, but I stopped him for now. If I heard that, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“For now, it’s not what I expected... but it’s fine. Let’s say this makes it easier.”

“Young Master, what do you—”

“I’ll do it. Young Lord.”

“...!”

Cheon Eujin’s eyes flared like lanterns at my answer.

Yeah, I had to. That damned Young Lord seat.

It wasn’t a situation where I couldn’t.

He said I’ll die if I don’t.

What had he said again?

Before becoming the World’s Greatest, also become the Blue Moon Sect’s Young Lord, as a side job?

No matter how I think about it, it’s absurd.

What, the ruined son from a backwater thinks he’s going to rise in the world?

Even thinking it again is ridiculous, but there’s no helping it.

I did long for advancement, but not like this.

“Ah— and don’t make those eyes. It’s not particularly because of you, Young Master Cheon.”

I waved a hand and stood up.

“If that’s all, I’ll get going first. My whole body still aches.”

“Ah...!”

As I moved for the door, Cheon Eujin called out in a hurry.

“Then... shall I send a letter to Young Master Namgung again?”

“Sorry? Already... why to him?”

I’d sent him off; what for? I asked, puzzled, and Cheon Eujin answered:

“But... if you intend to become Young Lord, the Namgung Clan’s strength will surely help. Even if they were unfavorable to me—”

“Ah. If that’s it, don’t bother.”

So that’s what he meant.

I turned my head without hearing him out.

“If it’s that, there’s no need to call him.”

“Pardon?”

Right. No need to summon Namgung Seong again.

I’ll be seeing him anyway.

I’d be meeting Namgung Seong again soon.

Maybe as early as tomorrow.

****

[Did you have a good talk.]

When I returned to my room, Yoo Cheongil, lying across my bed, greeted me.

I made a face like I’d bitten a bug.

“...Old man. I told you not to lie there.”

Somehow the form of address had shifted from “sir” to “old man.”

I simply couldn’t respect him; this was the minimum resistance I could manage.

He didn’t seem to care about being called that, though.

[What, a dried-up old man wants to lie down a bit, and you’re so stingy.]

“You’re already dead. When a ghost lies down, it taints the place. Get up.”

[Tch... tsk.]

He finally sat up, and I had to shake out the bedding over and over.

If you lie where a ghost lay, nine times out of ten you get pressed in your sleep.

This old man’s presence was unusually strong, so the pressure would be worse.

While I was vigorously beating the blanket, Yoo Cheongil picked his nose and asked:

[Did you talk it through.]

“Yes. More or less all of it.”

I left out the “as you told me.”

[And what about that youngster they call Little Azure Sword.]

He went straight to asking about Namgung Seong.

I didn’t have much to say about him.

“He really looks insolent.”

[...That’s it?]

“Yeah. And disgustingly handsome.”

It’d been a while since I’d seen someone as handsome as my father.

Even if his clan went under, that guy wouldn’t starve.

He can just seduce women to live.

Judging by how my father lives, that guy could pull it off too.

[Tsk. All you notice is a man’s face? Tsk, tsk.]

“What, you think a few exchanges of small talk let you see what you can’t know? He just seems like a fellow who can move pieces in his head.”

There were a few times the conversation made me dizzy.

Good at politics and talking; felt like he had a few snakes slithering in his gut.

[Silver tongue and snakes in the belly—sounds like you, not any different.]

“Old man, your mouth’s getting rough. Where are you going to find another young man as clean as me.”

[There’s an old saying: shamelessness is an illness.]

“And that’s what killed you— I’m joking. Joking.”

The glare he shot made me apologize without thinking. The old man’s face is scary when he wants it to be.

[Enough of the nonsense. Did you see anything besides his face?]

“What?”

[The things following behind that youngster.]

“Ah...”

I nodded at Yoo Cheongil’s words.

“Yes. I saw.”

It was too clear not to.

All the more because it’d been a while.

How many years has it been?

Since I’d seen someone dragging around that many vile spirits.

My skin still crawls.

Just the thought made me swallow dry. I had to use all my strength to avoid looking.

Why are vile spirits vile?

When regret and malice clump and clump until a ghost rots—that’s a vile spirit.

Their obsession can’t be put into words, and the moment they realize I can see them—

The rest of my life will turn into hell again, like my previous life.

I felt sick just remembering.

“...Hoo...”

I wiped cold sweat and exhaled.

Back in my room, the tension must have released; my hands were trembling.

[Same as ever—looks like that clan’s house hasn’t changed a bit.]

“Ever?”

Hiding my shaking hands, I asked, and Yoo Cheongil replied drily:

[There was one—the “Thunderbolt Sword,” a fellow who acted all tough... We talked, I got mad, and beat him to a pulp. That youngster looks just like him. I dislike him already.]

“...”

Of course he’d look alike.

...The Thunderbolt Sword was the Namgung Clan Head two generations back.

He beat the Namgung Clan Head to a pulp?

What kind of murderous line is that.

Worse, coming from him made it feel real, which was scarier.

“...So.”

I forced the topic to turn and asked:

“What do I do now?”

I’d done as told.

Namgung Seong would come; he’d test me; handle it appropriately.

That’s what Yoo Cheongil told me, and I followed it thoroughly.

[Thoroughly, my ass. Don’t you remember the nonsense you blurted at the end.]

“That was... the situation was too obvious to stomach.”

[Obvious how.]

“Tell someone to pass along a message—stop showing off.” That was what I told Namgung Seong.

There’s something behind him. That was my read, so I said it.

“Anyone can figure it out just gathering the scraps. How am I supposed to pretend I don’t know?”

[So you’ve turned most people into dogs and cows. Remarkable talent.]

“...Fine. So what now.”

[This brat’s getting mouthy, huh...?]

He was about to shoot back another line, then closed his mouth.

He must have realized more talk was pointless.

[...Enough. Leave that. Recite what you know about Little Azure Sword.]

“About what?”

[That youngster. Is his name spread in the Central Plains?]

“Yes. It is.”

Not just spread—spread wide and thick.

A candidate for Namgung’s next clan head: the man called Little Azure Sword, Namgung Seong.

Was he twenty-two? Or twenty-three?

That part I’m not sure about, but among late-stage prodigies under thirty, Namgung Seong is quite famous.

He’s rated just under the “Seven.”

Those commonly called the Seven.

Right now in the Central Plains, there are seven chosen as the ones who’ll carry the future.

Geniuses among geniuses.

That’s the level they occupy, and Little Azure Sword is a late-stage prodigy compared to those Seven.

[The Seven, huh...]

Hearing it, Yoo Cheongil thought for a moment, then said:

[Even as time passes, the Central Plains still loves those silly ranking games.]

True.

This place loves that sort of thing.

The Seven, the Hundred Great Masters, the Five Kings Under Heaven—people here love putting numbers on things.

And amid all that—

He said he stood at the very top.

The World’s Greatest.

Thinking of that, I recalled what he’d said before.

The World’s Greatest...

He said he’d have me do that. Really?

If I really—

If I really do as the old man orders—

...could I climb to that seat?

While I was half-lost in that thought—

The Sword Saint Yoo Cheongil suddenly nodded.

[Yes, just right.]

A faint blue light leaked from his eyes.

[Let’s do it.]

“...Do what?”

I asked, uneasy.

[What else.]

Smiling, Yoo Cheongil told me:

[Little Azure Sword. Let’s knock him down once.]

“Pardon?”

What kind of bullshit was that now.

“Suddenly? Knock him how...?”

What was he planning to do to a perfectly fine person—Namgung’s son, at that.

I asked, dumbfounded, but he didn’t listen to a word.

[Then, as planned, send the letter now. He probably hasn’t left yet.]

“No, but—”

[Hey now, less backtalk, more sending. If you’re late, there’ll be no—]

“I already sent it.”

[Hm?]

This time, he stiffened a little at my answer.

[...When?]

“Before I came back to the room, I had someone deliver it.”

[Why...? I hadn’t told you yet.]

Why?

“I figured it was about time to send it.”

[...]

He paused at that.

[Heh, heh.]

He smiled, brighter than before.

[Boy.]

“Yes.”

[From the first time I saw you, you pleased me.]

“That is exactly what I hate to hear.”

And I meant it.

I grimaced and shook my head, then pulled open the drawer beside me.

As it opened, something inside rolled out.

A bead suffused with a blue sheen.

It was the item taken from the Mountain Ghost.

And right about now, it would be the thing Namgung Seong was looking for like a madman.