Unbaek began his story.“Do you know of Yongho Gate?”“I know it. It’s a sect under Musincheon, isn’t it? I heard they’ve stationed themselves on Mount Kunlun to aid your sect.”At Namgoong Hwan’s reply, Unbaek nodded.“That’s right. You’re well-informed. As you know, Yongho Gate settled here claiming to help Kunlun.”“Have there been conflicts with them?”“Yes. Yongho Gate meddles in everything we do. As if… Kunlun were their subordinate sect.”“Mm.”“It’s gotten so excessive that now they even monitor the goods coming into our sect. That’s why I’ve come to bring you quietly—so they won’t notice you.”Unbaek thought Namgoong Hwan would surely understand their plight.But Namgoong Hwan kept glancing at a young man.Naturally, Unbaek’s gaze shifted toward that youth.With a grave expression, the young man asked,“Has Yongho Gate always been like that?”“No. I was told it wasn’t so at first. From what I know, it changed after the Gate Master was replaced.”“Mm.”“The former Gate Master truly helped us with sincerity. But the current one… no. He demanded compensation in return for their help. When we couldn’t meet his demands, he began interfering in our sect affairs little by little.”“You must resent Musincheon.”“Yes.”At that answer, everyone except the Sa Hwal Squad—who still didn’t know Yeon Woo Jin’s identity—was taken aback.Namgoong Hwan quickly interjected to smooth things over.“Most likely Musincheon doesn’t know about this. If they did, Yongho Gate would’ve been punished immediately.”“No. We’ve sent countless letters already. The only reply we ever got was, ‘We cannot help you.’”“T-that’s…”Yeon Woo Jin, who had been quietly listening, asked,“To where in Musincheon did you send those letters?”“To the Outer Hall. From what I know, the Outer Hall oversees Yongho Gate.”That was correct.The Musincheon Outer Hall managed and supervised the sects under Musincheon.As the saying goes, the arm bends inward.The Outer Hall had turned its back on Kunlun’s plea and sided with Yongho Gate.Yeon Woo Jin’s expression hardened further.The others grew tense.“I shouldn’t have brought this up. I’ve made the Guild Master and his companions uneasy. Forgive me.”Unbaek mistakenly thought the tension was because he’d spoken of Musincheon, and he apologized quickly.But Yeon Woo Jin said,“No. Don’t worry. Soon, peace will come to Kunlun.”“Your words alone mean much. But… may I ask who you are?”“Ah, I didn’t introduce myself. I am the Chief of the Shincheon Escort Bureau.”“Ah! So you’re the Escort Chief who came this time. Thank you for safely delivering the goods here.”“Not at all. It’s only my duty as Escort Chief.”“I’ll take you to the honored guest chamber. As for the Guild Master, the Sect Leader wishes to meet him privately.”Hearing the word “privately,” Namgoong Hwan immediately understood and said,“That item isn’t with me.”“…What?”“And I’m not the leader of this company. This person here is.”Pointing to Yeon Woo Jin, Namgoong Hwan spoke, and Unbaek’s face froze in shock.“T-then…”“He has the item. It is he whom the Sect Leader should meet.”Unbaek was flustered.The Sect Leader had clearly told him to bring only the Guild Master.“Couldn’t you perhaps just bring it yourself and come alone?”Unbaek whispered cautiously to Namgoong Hwan.Namgoong Hwan’s face hardened.“No. I’ll say it again—he is the leader of this company.”At his firm words, Unbaek faltered.Watching, Yeon Woo Jin said to Namgoong Hwan,“It’s fine. You can go and deliver it.”But Namgoong Hwan shook his head.“No. My lord must go personally.”Unbaek jolted.My lord?Had he misheard? He stared at Namgoong Hwan.But Namgoong Hwan spoke clearly.“This is my lord, and the master of the Namgoong Clan. So I ask you, do not treat him discourteously.”“Th-that…”Unbaek was so stunned he could hardly form words.That the Namgoong Clan had a lord… and that it was this young man?Could it be true?It had to be.Namgoong Hwan wouldn’t gamble his clan’s honor on a lie.Unbaek wanted to rush back and report this to the Sect Leader.Barely regaining his composure, he said,“P-please, let’s go at once. The Sect Leader is waiting anxiously.” ****“Sect Leader. I’ve brought the guests.”At Unbaek’s voice, Baek Ho Ja tilted his head.Hadn’t he said to bring only the Guild Master? Guests—plural?Still, it would be discourteous to leave them standing outside, so he decided to let them in.“Show them in.”“Yes.”The door opened, and two men stepped inside.Through the doorway, it was clear more people stood gathered outside.He had asked for only Namgoong Hwan, yet they had all been brought.If the Yongho Gate people saw this, they would surely come prying—And then the Johwadan might be seized by them.Casting Unbaek a displeased glance, Baek Ho Ja quickly masked it with a smile and welcomed the two.“Welcome. You’ve endured a long journey.”“Not at all. It was only what had to be done.”“We’ve received the goods. Thank you for sending only the finest weapons.”“Ha-ha, it was nothing. I’m glad they satisfy you.”“But….”He glanced at Yeon Woo Jin, then gave Namgoong Hwan a meaningful look.“Ah, you mean the Johwadan.”“Y-yes.”Baek Ho Ja inwardly cursed him. He had hinted enough, yet Namgoong Hwan blurted it out so bluntly.Seeing his sour expression, Namgoong Hwan smiled and said,“Don’t worry, Sect Leader. This person can be trusted.”“Then might I ask for an introduction?”At his words, Yeon Woo Jin stepped forward, cupped his fists, and introduced himself.“An honor to meet you. I am Yeon Woo Jin, Chief of the Shincheon Escort Bureau.”“Ah, so you are the Escort Chief. Welcome to Kunlun.”Even after hearing his name, Baek Ho Ja still looked uneasy.So Namgoong Hwan added with a laugh,“This is the man who made the Inyeondan and the Johwadan.”At those words, Baek Ho Ja’s eyes flew wide.He stared at Yeon Woo Jin in utter shock.“He is the one who made the elixirs you ordered, Sect Leader. You may speak freely.”“C-could that be true?”“I don’t lie, Sect Leader.”“Ah, yes. I know. Your word, Guild Master Namgoong, I trust.”Namgoong Hwan’s face hardened, and Baek Ho Ja quickly softened.“What has happened in Kunlun that makes you so wary of people, Sect Leader?”At his question, Baek Ho Ja sighed deeply and apologized to Yeon Woo Jin.“My apologies. I’ve been on edge of late.”“No need. I understand well why you’re cautious when the Johwadan is being treated like a divine pill.”Treated like a divine pill? It was a divine pill.Hearing him speak of it so offhandedly, Baek Ho Ja realized this was no ordinary man.He cupped his fists in respect.“Forgive me. I committed a discourtesy to a most honored guest. Please pardon me.”“It’s fine. Had someone told me a youth made such elixirs, I wouldn’t have believed it either.”“If it’s not discourteous to ask, may I know your age?”“This year I am twenty.”“Hehh….”It was astonishing.At twenty years of age, he had created two kinds of elixirs coveted by all under heaven.“You must also be skilled in medicine.”Namgoong Hwan answered for him, his face proud.“He is called the Divine Doctor. He even cured the Namgoong Matriarch’s incurable illness.”“I heard that story! So he was the one who cured the illness no one else could?”“Yes.”Baek Ho Ja gazed ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) at Yeon Woo Jin in admiration.For even Namgoong Hwan—whose heart no one could read—to show such open respect and speak on his behalf, proved what a remarkable person this was.“But on the way here, I heard Kunlun is facing trouble.”“Hmph. That rascal Unbaek must have told you things he shouldn’t.”“Is Yongho Gate’s interference so severe?”“Sigh… It wasn’t like that at first. But at some point, they began to meddle more and more. Now it’s to the point we’re cornered. They even know and interfere in our internal council matters.”Watching him sigh, Yeon Woo Jin’s face grew stern.Such pressure on Kunlun couldn’t be possible unless someone was feeding them information.“Someone must be passing them your secrets. Have you considered that?”At his words, Baek Ho Ja blinked.“That can’t be. None of the leadership would betray us.”“How can you be so sure?”“They must be eavesdropping somehow. Our disciples would never betray Kunlun.”“Are you truly certain?”Pressed, Baek Ho Ja couldn’t answer right away.“You have suspicions yourself, don’t you?”At last, he nodded.“To be honest… there are two youths who raise some doubts. But… I can’t believe they’d betray Kunlun. I only hope it’s just an old man’s needless worry.”“If they were traitors, what would you do?”“Uhh… I would say it was but a mistake in a moment of weakness, and give them another chance…”“No. A rotten part must be cut away for new flesh to grow. If you embrace the rot as your own, it will spread until it kills you.”“Must I truly be so ruthless?”“Do you want to protect Kunlun?”“Yes.”“Then you must steel your heart.”“But there’s no proof those youths are guilty.”“Tell them you’ve received the Johwadan.”“Then… they’ll run to Yongho Gate with the news.”“Tell them it’s with me.”“Then they’ll try to harm you.”“It’s fine.”Baek Ho Ja looked at Namgoong Hwan.His expression asked: Aren’t you going to stop him?But Namgoong Hwan only smiled.“Listen to him, Sect Leader.”The way he addressed Yeon Woo Jin stirred Baek Ho Ja’s doubt.This wasn’t how one spoke of a family benefactor. No, it was the attitude of a sworn subordinate.And looking at those who had come with him, they were all unmatched masters—none who could be considered beneath himself.Yet even they treated Yeon Woo Jin with utmost respect.As if serving their lord.He couldn’t help but wonder.This wasn’t just because of his medical skill.There was something more.Cautiously, Baek Ho Ja asked,“What is your true identity, Escort Chief?”“My true identity? Do I not seem like an Escort Chief?”“To anyone’s eyes, you’re no ordinary man. And those beside you are not ordinary either.”At that, Hwa Sogwang—who had been barely restraining himself—could no longer hold back.“Enough! I can’t keep silent any longer! He is our lord. Well met. I am Hwa Sogwang, called the Flame Emperor.”

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