Jin Muhon returned to the estate.
He had left alone, but not anymore.
Creak!
He pushed open the main gate.
Jin Hayeon, who had been pacing anxiously in the courtyard, came running with her skirt fluttering.
"Uncle! Where have you—... Huh?"
She stopped in her tracks.
Spotting someone behind Jin Muhon, she widened her large eyes in surprise.
"You have... a guest?"
Yeon Jeokhwa stepped out from behind Jin Muhon's back, flashing a bright smile and waving.
"So you're the niece my big brother mentioned. What a pretty girl. Hi there!"
"...?"
Jin Hayeon's big eyes scanned Yeon Jeokhwa up and down.
A rare red-haired beauty from beyond the Central Plains.
Her snow-white face was sculpted perfection, her hair a vivid crimson, and the curves peeking from beneath her martial robes were enticingly voluptuous.
Whoa...
Who's that? She's gorgeous.
Baek No, sitting in the corner of the courtyard, gaped along with the workers bustling about their repairs. Every eye was stolen by Yeon Jeokhwa.
The more they stared, the sharper the wariness in Jin Hayeon's gaze.
"Who might you be?"
"Me? This kind of person."
Yeon Jeokhwa grinned and hooked her arm through Jin Muhon's.
A deep furrow formed between Jin Hayeon's delicate brows.
"Cut the joking and come inside."
Jin Muhon shook off her arm and strode toward the residence.
"Oh my! In broad daylight?"
As Jin Muhon marched on, Yeon Jeokhwa covered her mouth and hurried after him.
Whatever she was imagining, Jin Hayeon's face flushed apple-red.
"Don't tease the kid. Hayeon, Baek No—you come too."
Jin Muhon halted and glanced back.
Jin Hayeon and Baek No, frozen in confusion, jumped and shouted.
"Ah! Yes!"
"Understood, young master!"
Jin Hayeon's heart pounded wildly.
***
Jin Muhon's quarters.
For the family head's residence, it was sparsely furnished—starkly simple.
Pour.
As Jin Hayeon served tea, a subtle aroma wafted through the room.
Even so, she kept flashing signals with her eyes.
Uncle! Who's this woman?
Jin Muhon said nothing, as if oblivious.
Yeon Jeokhwa sipped her tea, glancing around.
"What a cozy little place. Tiny compared to the estate where you used to live, big brother, but who cares about size anyway."
Jin Hayeon flinched.
She knew nothing of Jin Muhon's past.
This sudden red-haired stranger had just referenced it.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Jin Hayeon spoke first.
"Um... what relation are you to my uncle?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Oh dear! Little sis, you're sharp-looking but slow on the uptake. If a woman sets everything aside and travels far to find a man, what do you think their relationship is?"
Yeon Jeokhwa smiled with her eyes, gazing at Jin Hayeon.
Embarrassment bloomed on Jin Hayeon's face.
"Pardon? What kind of... relationship?"
"What else? The kind where you've seen everything there's to see."
"...!"
"...!"
Jin Hayeon and Baek No's jaws dropped. In that instant, Baek No nearly fumbled his teacup.
Clink.
Despite the shock rippling through the room, Jin Muhon lifted his cup without a flicker of expression. Hot tea warmed him as it slid down his throat.
Suddenly, their hilltop conversation resurfaced.
—The Blood Shadow Unit?
—All dead.
Jin Muhon hadn't responded to the news of his subordinates' deaths.
When he'd first fled the cult, how many pursuers had hounded him?
Demons nursing old grudges, fools blinded by the reward for slaying the Mad Demon, Sword Demon, and above all, Cheonma's son Cheon Gunak—who wouldn't let him go quietly.
Yet the pursuit had vanished at some point.
He'd suspected as much, and sure enough, his old subordinates had blocked the Demonic Cult's hunters.
—Not just us—other units too. Maybe even the captains are gone.
Yeon Jeokhwa had swept back her red hair with a bright laugh.
—Me? I'm just that exceptional, so here I am, alive to see the vice leader. Ho ho ho!
Her killing intent had been genuine.
She couldn't bear watching her lord fall to the likes of Cheon Gunak.
Better to end it cleanly herself.
The other captains might differ, but that was Yeon Jeokhwa's brand of loyalty.
Vice leader...
Come to think of it, despite her playfulness, she'd always called him "lord."
Now her term for him had changed.
Jin Muhon glanced sideways at Yeon Jeokhwa's profile, then met Jin Hayeon's eyes.
"An old colleague I worked with."
He said it indifferently, like it was someone else's business.
Jin Hayeon's stiff face softened as she ventured cautiously.
"If I may ask... where did you work together?"
"A merchant company."
A curt reply.
Jin Muhon slurped his tea and looked away.
Jin Hayeon blinked.
"Pardon? A merchant company...? You, Uncle?"
Merchant company.
Traders who traveled far for profit—but no matter how she pictured it, Jin Muhon didn't fit the image.
Was her one and only uncle truly expecting her to buy that?
Still, Jin Hayeon held back further questions.
It meant he didn't trust her yet.
Someday...
When the time came, her uncle would open up and accept her.
Clenching her lips, Jin Hayeon held onto that faith.
"I dealt with the Western Regions. Spent more time away from the Central Plains than in it. Worked with Jeokhwa back then."
"Ah... So you traveled to the West."
Jin Hayeon and Baek No nodded awkwardly.
It didn't suit him at all, but with the red-haired woman planted there, it sounded plausible enough.
"Anyway, she's family now. Make her welcome."
"Ho ho ho! Nice to meet you, little sis."
Yeon Jeokhwa beamed at Jin Hayeon.
Jin Hayeon dipped her head slightly, her voice laced with thorns.
"Yes. Auntie."
"...?"
A strange tension crackled between the two women.
The air chilled.
"Ho. Ho. Ho."
Yeon Jeokhwa laughed behind her hand, amused.
Jin Muhon eyed her subtly.
A thick vein bulged on her forehead—uncharacteristic.
***
That night.
Restless, Jin Muhon climbed to the roof with a bottle of liquor.
Chirp. Chirp. Chiiirp.
A full moon floated in the sky; on the ground, crickets shrieked noisily.
Spring's full bloom hung in the air.
Yet Jin Muhon's heart remained cold.
"...?"
A warrior's fate.
Especially on the demonic path—death could come anytime, unremarkable.
Had they not followed him, they might already be worm food.
No guilt.
Just an unfamiliar unease gnawing at him.
"Rest in peace, all of you."
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
Jin Muhon downed the bottle for his departed men, praying for their souls.
Then—a soft thud behind him, followed by footsteps.
He turned.
"...?"
There stood a beauty with lush red hair and a lovely face, bathed in moonlight.
"Share a sip with me."
Yeon Jeokhwa plopped down beside him. The tiles rattled.
Jin Muhon handed her the bottle wordlessly.
She snatched it and guzzled like a man.
"Kaa! Good stuff!"
Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, she quenched her throat.
"You want to protect that girl, right?"
"...?"
Having served Jin Muhon for years, Yeon Jeokhwa knew him.
The ever-stoic Sword Demon who hid his heart—but now, she could guess his thoughts.
"Don't worry. I erased all traces. Unless the main force from the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains comes themselves, they won't find you."
"Big brother."
"Yes?"
Yeon Jeokhwa blinked in confusion.
"Call me big brother. No slip-ups in front of Hayeon."
"Ho ho! You really treasure her."
"...?"
Jin Muhon took back the bottle and chugged instead of answering.
Sweet, yet bitter.
"What now?"
"Make sure Hayeon lives comfortably."
"Live comfortably? You, the Sword Demon who only knows how to kill?"
Jin Muhon turned slowly.
His eyes held no emotion—ruthless void.
Yeon Jeokhwa flinched, bowing her head hastily.
What was I thinking!
Seeing him at ease in his hometown had softened her momentarily.
Power lost or not, he was still the Sword Demon.
Terror surged from her depths.
"Forgive me, my lord."
"Big brother."
"Yes! Big brother!"
They fell silent, gazing at the sky.
A flock of nameless birds soared between moonlit clouds.
Jin Muhon spoke heavily.
"You have a job."
"Command me."
Yeon Jeokhwa swallowed hard.
Right. The Sword Demon wouldn't stay quiet forever.
What order? Fetch Cheon Gunak's head? Or slay Cheonma and claim the throne?
Her heart raced with anticipation.
"Protect Hayeon. If anything happens to her, you die."
"Pardon... my lord?"
Yeon Jeokhwa blinked at him.
Jin Muhon rose.
"I'll be away for a while."
"Where... to?"
He looked down at her.
In the cult, such questions were unthinkable.
She bowed quickly, excusing herself.
"She... Hayeon might ask, so..."
"Hm..."
Jin Muhon tilted his head to the moon.
True—vanish without a word, and with her personality, she'd lose sleep for days.
"Tell her I'm going to the Ghost Soul Sect."
"Ah. Got it."
Ghost Soul Sect? Some quarrel with the righteous factions?
Poor fools.
Daring to face the Sword Demon—even the cult's five great families couldn't withstand his wrath.
"No."
"...?"
Yeon Jeokhwa, silently pitying the sect, tilted her head.
Jin Muhon moistened his lips, choosing his words.
"Say I'm going fishing."
"...Understood."
A warm night breeze whistled between them.
Chirp chirp—crickets filled the quiet night.