Chapter 5.1: Past Relationships [Part 1]

After much pleading from Woo, Kang-oh finally gave him a task. It was nothing significant—just helping with miscellaneous chores for Honamdan. Even so, Woo's "working hours" were exceptionally short. He had to leave Hee-do Won with Kang-oh and return with him whenever Kang-oh finished his business at Honamgak.

Woo understood why his outings were so restricted. Kang-oh was wary of Jin-rang's hostility.

After all, who would welcome a guest their master despised? The loyalty Black Sky Clan's warriors held toward Jin-rang was absolute. While martial society already followed a strict hierarchy of strength, it was even more pronounced in the shadowy world of the Black Path. Moreover, Jin-rang's pivotal role in defeating the Blood Cult had cemented his position. Thanks to his efforts during that conflict, sects once openly despised and ostracized, like the Black Sky Clan, managed to secure their place in the martial world. Though prejudice lingered, the outright persecution had lessened.

Jin-rang was a hero to the warriors of the Black Sky Clan. There were plenty who would gladly sacrifice their lives for him without hesitation. Knowing this, Kang-oh personally accompanied Woo, shielding him from the tension in Black Sky Clan.

Though Kang-oh couldn't be with Woo all the time, he didn't object to Woo doing small things like peeling vegetables in the kitchen. For Woo, who once spent his days curled up in a corner doing nothing, even these small tasks helped him overcome his sense of helplessness little by little.

Yeon-jin sat across from Woo, peeling potatoes with a knife while grumbling.

"It's not like I'm always assigned to kitchen work, but my hands are always wet," Yeon-jin grumbled.

Woo awkwardly smiled at those words.

"I-I can do it by myself."

"And what if the Third Disciple walks in?"

"…"

Seeing Woo firmly close his mouth, Yeon-jin muttered as if she had expected this.

"I want to live a long life."

"I-I'll l-listen to what you say..."

"Oh, I know you'll listen. But that doesn't change the fact that dealing with this is terrible for my heart. It's like I can feel my lifespan shrinking every time!"

As she spent more time with Woo, Yeon-jin began to open up quite a bit. Still, that didn't stop her from bringing him porridge every morning like clockwork.

Woo often caught Yeon-jin giving him conflicted looks, her gaze flitting between doubt and concern. Having served as a servant for years, Woo-hyo was all too familiar with that expression. He understood the inner conflict Yeon-jin felt—how she had to follow her orders as a subordinate yet couldn't help but feel some human warmth toward him. That's why Woo always pretended not to notice.

If Yeon-jin were pushed a little further, she might actually side with Woo. After all, she was a kind-hearted person at her core. But Woo didn't want that. The life he'd found after meeting Kang-oh felt less like a reprieve and more like an empty void. It wasn't a rest—it was a delay. It felt like punishment was just being put off, making him restless rather than at ease.

He would've preferred to face the blow sooner rather than later.

While he could face an enemy's sword aimed at his neck with courage. But this? It felt like being a condemned man, waiting for the executioner's blade. The uncertainty, the endless waiting—it wore him down.

"It's done."

Yeon-jin stood up with a bright smile. Woo felt a sense of regret. If he'd done it alone, his clumsy hands would have stretched the task out much longer. With Yeon-jin's help, though, everything was finished in no time. While he was grateful for her assistance, he also knew that this was likely the only work Yeon-jin would bring him today. He cast a lingering glance at the pile of potatoes, almost wishing there were more.

"Wait here. I'll go steam these in the kitchen and bring some back for you," Yeon-jin said, pretending not to notice Woo's wistful gaze.

Before Woo could say it wasn't necessary, Yeon-jin had already brushed off her apron and stood up. Her thoroughness left no room for argument, and Woo could only give a bitter smile.

The soft swish of her skirt brushing against the floor trailed behind her as she made her way to the kitchen.

"Thanks to you, I've had less work today."

One of Yeon-jin's peers, a cheerful girl named Sibi, approached with a warm smile and struck up a conversation.

"I didn't expect a guest to help us with our work like this. Are you good at cooking, by any chance?"

"Not really."

At that question, Yeon-jin shook her head slightly as she looked at the pile of poorly peeled potatoes Woo had worked on. He wasn't someone you'd call skillful, not even as a compliment. At best, he was diligent.w

"Since you kept taking vegetables from the kitchen every day, I wondered what you were doing with them. Never thought you were bringing them back all peeled. Honestly, I thought you were already working in the kitchen."

"That's not the case."

Yeon-jin shrugged, but her gaze suddenly sharpened.

"I'm just saying this casually, but you know you shouldn't let people outside hear that a guest is helping out with kitchen work, right? Imagine if rumors started spreading that the Third Disciple isn't treating his guest properly. What would that do to Hee-do Won's reputation?"

At the mention of Kang-oh's and Hee-do Won's standing, Sibi flinched.

"Oh, no, I wouldn't. I was just saying this because I'm grateful, not because I planned to tell anyone."

Sibi's flustered expression and quick wave of his hands seemed to ease Yeon-jin's stern look a little.

"If you're really grateful, can I take some of those steamed potatoes later?"

The workers at Hee-do Won were all curious about Woo, who was a guest of the Third Disciple. At first, they kept their questions to themselves, not daring to speak up for fear of Kang-oh's judgment. But as Woo's stay stretched on, their curiosity began to surface more openly. Yeon-jin judged that this interest was not a bad thing. Those who had questions would approach her with a snack or two, making it easier to strike up a conversation.

"Of course. There's some rice cake from this morning, would you like to take some?"

"Sure." Yeon-jin nodded happily.

Kang-oh did a good job of making sure Woo had enough to eat, but days when she could sneak him extra treats always lifted her spirits. With a cheerful tune, Yeon-jin went out with the rice cakes. It was only after she disappeared from sight that Sibi, who had been working in the kitchen, quietly stood up and walked toward the door.

Pretending to have an errand to run, Sibi left Hee-do Won. On her way out, she accidentally bumped into a swordsman coming from the opposite direction and fell flat on her backside.

"Ouch!"

"Oh dear."

The man clicked his tongue. His sharp gaze landed on Sibi, and she immediately dropped to the floor, begging for forgiveness.

"I'm sorry! I didn't see where I was going…"

"Where are you from?"

"F-from Hee-do Won…"

Sibi trembled uncontrollably.

"Hee-do Won, you say?"

The man spat, a clear expression of distaste on his face.

"I can't even properly scold you. Just get lost!"

"Yes, yes."

With a face that looked as if it might burst into tears, Sibi hurried away. As she did, the martial artist, shaking off his earlier flippant demeanor, he steps away from the spot. In his hand, he held a white piece of paper, which he had taken when he bumped into Sibi.

He made his way to Ilwon Pavilion, where the First Grand Disciple, Mo-yong yu-woon, was enjoying a cup of tea in the afternoon sun. One of the guards standing nearby approached the swordman and took the paper from his hand.

Mo-yong yu-woon, having set his tea cup down, unfolded the note and began to read it.

"…Tch."

Mo-yong yu-woon didn't expect much from the information he could gain just by manipulating Sibi, but this was too much. Mo-yong yu-woon knew even the smallest details, like whether Kang-oh's personal servant had left Hee-do Won or not. The fact that Woo had never worked in the kitchen was just an added piece of information.

'Doesn't leave the room...'

He thought it would be quite amusing if Kang-oh visited that place every night. With that thought, Mo Yong-yu burned the paper using his Sammaejinhwa technique and scattered the ashes into the incense burner.

"Is there no chance for personal contact?"

"Yes, there is an attendant currently serving him... Should we try contacting her?"

"That's too risky."

Mo-yong yu clicked his tongue in frustration as he spoke.

It was clear that the true leader of the Black Sky Clan was Jin-rang, and Mo-yong yu was in a position where he couldn't do much, no matter how much he wanted to. Most of the actual power was in Jin-rang's hands, while Mo-yong yu was simply lying low, picking up scraps beneath his master's feet. If Jin-rang had ever intended for him to be the successor, he would've begun passing on some of his power by now. But there was no sign of that happening.

Of course, Jin-rang was an incredibly powerful master, and he might outlive even Mo-yong yu-woon. So, it wasn't entirely strange that the passing of power had been delayed. However, it was concerning that even though his disciple had grown up, Jin-rang still refused to relinquish control.

It was as if he still saw Mo-yong yu as a child.

Thus, he became fixated on dragging down the youngest disciple. He was anxious, endlessly worried that what he held in his hands would slip away like bubbles.

Ye Jin-rang could choose anyone, but for Mo Yong-yu, there was no option outside of Black Sky Clan. Perhaps, had it not been for the Blood Cult, Mo-yong yu might have grown up as a promising disciple under a noble family from the White Path. But the Blood Cult had removed that option, and those ruthless individuals had turned to ashes, disappearing from the martial world.

There was no one in this world to take responsibility for Mo-yong yu-woon's loss. As a result, his thirst for revenge grew inside him, coiling tighter and tighter, feeding on the sense of injustice he felt every time he remembered what he had lost. The feelings of resentment had become as much a part of him as blood and flesh.

"I want to see him at least once."

At the Grand Disciple's muttering, his subordinate responded quickly.

"Shall we wait for a chance when he goes to and from Hongamgak and create an opportunity?"

"There's no need for that."

Mo-yong yu-woon waved his hand dismissively at the suggestion. It wasn't like he could easily make a move on that servant anyway, and it wasn't worth going that far just to satisfy mere curiosity. All he needed was to catch a glimpse of the face from a distance.

Thinking that simply seeing the servant was enough for now, the First Disciple stood up.

"Follow me."

The subordinate silently followed Mo Yong-yun, recalling one important fact.

It was soon time for the Third Disciple to leave Honamgak and head toward Hee-do Won.

As Mo Yong-yun stepped out of Ilwon Pavilion, his pace seemed leisurely, as if he were merely taking a stroll. However, there was a clear purpose behind the Grand Disciple's movements. The direction he chose—toward Hee-do Won—was proof that he was on a mission to find Jin-rang.

Before long, Mo Yong-yun spotted two figures walking in the distance. Raising his internal energy to its maximum, he observed them closely.

It was the youngest disciple, Ye Kang-oh, with a man following behind him. The latter's steps were slow, his feet dragging as if his legs were uncomfortable. If it had been anyone else, Yu-woon might have ignored it. After all, being lenient toward the less capable was a habit of the youngest disciple.

But Kang-oh's movements caught the attention of the First Disciple.

As a martial artist, Ye Kang-oh usually walked with strong strides. But today, his steps were slower, and his pace seemed intentionally adjusted to match the person trailing behind him—almost as if he were caring for a servant.

"...This is getting interesting."

Half on impulse, Mo Yong-yun had created this coincidence, and now he found it to be a surprisingly good choice. Without slowing his pace, he continued moving toward Ye Jin-rang's residence. As he brushed past Kang-oh from a distance, it seemed like nothing more than a coincidence. Yet, his subordinate, with a knowing smile, followed behind him, impressed by the subtlety of the scene.

'Is this his plan?'

When Kang-oh saw the well-dressed man and the procession he led moving toward the residence of the Black Sky Clan, he immediately recognized who it was. He didn't even need to focus his internal energy to see it clearly.

'Looks like he's more agile than I thought.'

He never expected the Grand Disciple to come personally to spy...

Kang-oh clicked his tongue. He was well aware that the eldest disciple was keeping a close eye on him. That was precisely why he had avoided living a life exposed to the outside world until now.

As Woo's stay at Hee-do Won lengthened, it was only natural for Mo Yong-yu to take action. However, he never imagined that Yong-yu would come to see the "guest" at Hee-do Won in person.

The Grand Disciple tried not to show it, but he was a man of great pride. He was obsessed with his lineage and thus paid little attention to those of lower status. Jin-rang's reluctance to pass on control of Black Sky Clan to him was likely because he judged that Yu-woon wasn't yet capable of uniting all the warriors under his command.

For that reason, Kang-oh felt somewhat reassured. The fact that the man he had brought to Heido-won was a servant was not exactly a secret, and he thought it was highly likely that Mo Yong-yu would take an interest upon discovering that fact.

"Is there... is there a problem?" Woo asked with concern in his voice as he noticed Kang-oh suddenly frowning.

Kang-oh was about to respond brusquely that it was nothing, but he changed his mind and spoke up.

"I think I saw the Grand Disciple."

"Ah."

At those words, Woo nodded. He had met the first disciple of Black Sky Clan before. Although they were of similar age, their positions were entirely different. Ye Jin-rang seemed to believe that the first disciple from the Mo Yong family would do well in the martial world, but in reality, he had not integrated well at all.

Woo, as the ruler of the White Virtue Clan, had always tried to maintain a friendly relationship with Mo-yong yu-woon for the sake of Black Sky Clan and Jin-rang's reputation. However, he had not taken a personal interest in Mo Yong-yu. The only impression he had of him was a vague memory of his strikingly handsome appearance.

Having looked at his own face in the mirror every day, Woo's standards of beauty were quite high, yet recognizing Mo-yong yu as handsome only indicated how striking the First Disciple's appearance was. Mo-yong family had mixed blood, and Woo thought that perhaps that was why he looked so captivating.

"If a man with striking features and extravagant attire approaches, make sure to use my name as an excuse to avoid him."

Woo blinked in surprise. This was a warning not to get close to Mo-yong yu. There was no need to ask why—he had been with Black Sky Clan for eight years, and he could easily guess that Mo-yong yu, as the First Disciple, was keeping an eye on Kang-oh.

"Y-yes..."

"You didn't even ask for a reason."

"How could a servant refuse their master's orders?"

At the excuse, Kang-oh's brow furrowed slightly. His expression clearly showed that he wasn't pleased with Woo's words. About to say something, Kang-oh clenched his lips shut and paused.

"Fine. If that's how you prefer to speak, who am I to dissuade you? Just remember to keep your distance from the First Disciple."

"Yes."

Woo nodded at Kang-oh, who had ultimately mentioned the Eldest Disciple as the subject of concern. Woo hadn't asked why, but Kang-oh felt the obligation to explain.

"That person... is capable of making dangerous decisions."

Dangerous decisions...

It was a vague explanation, uncharacteristic of Kang-oh. Given the difficulty of speaking ill of the Grand Disciple in the martial world, this was likely the best warning he could officially give. Woo understood this and nodded seriously.

"I will keep that in mind."

Still not fully at ease, Kang-oh moved his lips again. However, no sound came from them. But Woo could hear his words clearly.

[Do not show any reaction and follow me slowly while listening to my explanation.]

It was a telepathic message.

Woo followed Kang-oh's lead, moving in step with him. Kang-oh began to explain the situation involving the Grand Disciple through their telepathy.

[As you know, I don't usually stay in Black Sky Clan for long periods throughout the year.]

This was a well-known fact among anyone from Black Sky Clan.

[It's partly because I enjoy mingling with martial artists from other sects, but there's another reason as well. You probably guessed it, but it's due to my relationship with the Grand Disciple.]

Despite the fact that he was being outright rejected by his senior, Kang-oh's voice remained calm, without a hint of frustration.

[He's uncomfortable with me building influence within Black Sky. Given how much favor I have from the Master, it's understandable for him to be cautious. But because of that, the people around me often get hurt.]

Hurt?

Woo frowned at that. He had never heard of such incidents. Of course, being merely a servant, there were limits to the information he could access. Had something happened to Kang-oh without his knowledge?

At the very least, Jin-rang wouldn't have stayed quiet if something like that was going on.

[You've been going back and forth to Honamgak with me for the past few days, so I thought you might have gotten familiar with the faces of the members of Honamdan. They are all exceptional martial artists. Aside from their backgrounds, they have no weaknesses.]

Without realizing it, Woo almost nodded his head but instead answered with his steps, moving forward.

[It wasn't always meant to be this big. In fact, I had no intention of forming a group like Honamdan at all.]

Woo blinked in surprise. This was unexpected information.

[After reaching the level of a peak master, my master encouraged me to have a group under my command, but I thought being alone was sufficient. I believed I lacked the ability to take responsibility for someone else. After a few days, when I thought my wishes had been accepted, I learned that my master was gathering young martial artists. They were all promising individuals. I asked him about it, still doubting, and he nodded. He said that the three of us, the senior disciples, needed to learn how to lead the Black Sky Clan in the future. When he told me this was a task for me, I could no longer refuse.]

Woo understood the affection Ye Jin-rang had for Kang-oh. Knowing how long Kang-oh had endured, he could empathize with the heart of the lord of Black Sky Clan, who wanted to do anything for him.

[I also requested to bring in a few martial artists I had been keeping an eye on during my training. If I had to lead a group, I thought I should do it proactively.]

This made perfect sense to Woo. He knew that Kang-oh had an inherently proactive personality.

[However, since I selected martial artists based on their skills, their backgrounds were vastly different. The same was true for the martial artists chosen by my master. When we first formed Honamdan and began to solidify the organization, a major conflict arose.]

Conflict?

Woo tilted his head in confusion. If it was as significant as Kang-oh described, he felt he should have been aware of it.

[The individuals I brought in and those selected by my master, particularly those from prestigious families, formed factions and were in opposition to each other. Foolishly, I was completely unaware of this situation... Although they were exceptional in skill, a member of Honamdan from an orphan background was beaten nearly to death. Upon learning this, I immediately expelled the perpetrator from Honamdan.]

"..."

[At first, I thought it was simply a matter of me not being able to manage them properly. I crushed the man's arm bones into dust while subduing him... yet despite being told he might never be able to hold a sword again, he screamed in pain but did not despair. That was strange. I thought it was just something odd, but six months later, the son of a prestigious family who had been expelled from my hands ended up under the command of the Grand Disciple.]

Six months—a long enough time for some, yet far too short for them to be forgiven.

[When I asked how someone who had been disciplined could serve the First Disciple of Black Sky Clan, the First Disciple urged me to forgive him, considering his father's standing. This was despite the fact that the Honamdan member who had been assaulted was still bedridden.]

Kang-oh walked steadily, his back straight and unwavering. Woo silently watched him, noticing how the composure that usually defined him seemed even more firm today. But for some reason, his shoulders appeared heavier than usual.

[When the emotions between the Senior Disciple and I reached their peak, Master had to step in. The child of a noble family who entered under the Senior Disciple's command was sent to the outskirts of Black Sky's territory. A high-ranking position. And after many years, they'll return, arrogantly inherit their father's position, and live a bold life.]

There was a palpable anger in Kang-oh's muttering. Woo reached out as if to comfort him but stopped mid-motion.

What would he even do by reaching out? Offer comfort? Criticize Mo-yong yu?

His own attitude, trying to build a connection with Kang-oh while already feeling shaken, seemed pathetic. Woo's hand retracted, like a flower petal recoiling from cold frost.

[There's no hard evidence that the Great Senior Disciple is involved. Just a strong suspicion. Master only wishes for his disciples to be harmonious, and I, having received his favor, cannot cause him any distress. Therefore, the best I can do to protect my people is to remain submissive. I have no intention of building power or showing interest in the position of the next lord of Black Sky Clan. I leave Black Sky Clan every year, only returning around my master's birthday.]

For the first time, Woo felt a surge of anger. What had Ye Jin-rang been doing all this time?

[Just to be cautious, do not mention this to my master.]

"Wh-what—"

The words slipped out of Woo's mouth before he could stop himself. Whenever Kang-oh was involved, Woo's composure shattered far too easily.

[He cherishes me, just as he values his first disciple.] Kang-oh's voice remained calm.

[It's just a matter of enduring. The Grand Disciple will soon understand. We just have to wait until then.]

That last statement felt less like something meant for Woo and more like a self-affirmation. The attitude of believing that simply enduring would improve the situation weighed heavily on Woo's heart.

He didn't ask Jin-rang to take Kang-oh just for him to merely endure.

As they continued walking, Woo's hand suddenly grabbed the sleeve of Kang-oh's clothes. When Kang-oh stopped, Woo's head lightly touched his back. Kang-oh, feeling the strange sensation, turned around but froze when he saw Woo shaking his head in a subtle gesture. The odd feeling in his chest made Kang-oh go rigid.

Woo took Gang-oh's palm and began to write on it with his fingers.

Just like that name. The two characters I gave you but never got the chance to say to you directly.

Woo gritted his teeth and forced himself to suppress the emotions welling up in his chest, unable to understand why Kang-oh remained silent. What Woo didn't know was that Kang-oh had nearly reached out to embrace him, moved by the unexpected comfort Woo had offered. But then, like a lightning bolt, a realization struck Kang-oh, halting his impulse.

'Didn't Woo say he couldn't read?'

People who take certain privileges for granted often make careless mistakes. Even if someone lives cautiously, constantly suppressing themselves and staying submissive, time doesn't erase memories or habits. Woo's mistake had been a moment of carelessness—a slip born of instinct.

Knowing how to read was one thing; writing was another. In the time that Kang-oh had been unaware, Woo had let go of the reins of his emotions. Before he could finish his calculations, the desire to comfort had already taken off on its own.

[That tickles.]

Kang-oh's tone was calm, pretending not to notice anything. He acted as if the only thing he'd felt was Woo's fingers fidgeting in his palm.

"Ah...!"

Startled, Woo stepped back. He had just realized that he had written something on Kang-oh's hand. The realization hit him, and he quickly sealed his lips, glancing at Kang-oh for any signs of reaction. The back of the man walking ahead remained as steady as ever. It didn't seem like Kang-oh had discovered that the servant who claimed to be illiterate was, in fact, not illiterate at all.

However, it was too soon to feel at ease. Woo, overwhelmed by his anxious thoughts, bit his lips repeatedly. Every time he caught himself making a mistake around Kang-oh, it felt like his insides were boiling with frustration.

"You look unwell. Did you force yourself to come out today even though you were feeling sick?"

As they arrived at Hee-do Won, Kang-oh turned around and immediately noticed Woo's pale face. Instead of lowering his head, Woo rolled his eyes to gauge Kang-oh's expression.

"Th-that's not it."

"Then what is it?"

"I... I'm just feeling a bit off... That's all."

It was a bold move for someone like Woo. He was trying to gauge Kang-oh's reaction, claiming his uneasiness stemmed from the story Kang-oh had shared earlier. His fingers curled slightly out of nervousness, but Woo kept his expression as composed as possible. He avoided looking directly at Kang-oh, keeping his head lowered as he waited to see how he would respond.

"Is that what it was? I never thought you would think so deeply about it."

Kang-oh smiled, his eyes crinkling with delight. If he had read the words written on his palm, he likely wouldn't have said that. The joy on Kang-oh's face, as if he were receiving comfort for the first time, slowly eased the heavy stone that had been resting on Woo's heart.

Woo moistened his parched lips with his tongue and lowered his head.

"I… I'm a servant who owes my life to the Third Disciple. Naturally, I feel… concerned."

"Didn't I tell you not to think of it as a favor?" As they walked, Kang-oh forced a smile that felt bitter. Hearing gratitude for compensation given out of guilt only made his feelings more complicated.

It was similar to how he couldn't bring himself to speak to his master about the matters concerning the First Disciple. No matter how stern Jin-rang acted, there was an undeniable affection in the way he treated the First Disciple. Kang-oh hadn't noticed this because he was as perceptive as the Second Disciple, Yeom Seung-han, but because he had always paid close attention to every action and word of his Master.

Jin-rang had his own way of caring for his youngest disciple, but Kang-oh also harbored deep feelings of loyalty and devotion to his Master. When Kang-oh first heard that Woo was the son of an enemy, hadn't he immediately suggested killing him?

But when Master revealed that Woo was also the son of a benefactor, his face full of conflicted emotions, Kang-oh was shaken. The man Kang-oh had always revered as flawless turned out to be as human as anyone else—a man who could harbor hatred, yet be unable to cast it aside or resolve it. He carried it silently, burdened by emotions he couldn't let go of. This realization deeply unsettled Kang-oh.

Woo noticed the fleeting emotions crossing Kang-oh's face and chose to remain silent, keeping his lips tightly shut.

"It's just a trivial guilt."

Amidst such confusion and complexity, the most peculiar thing was Woo's existence. This man, who had once seemed so insignificant that Kang-oh suggested he be killed without hesitation, had somehow become someone Kang-oh now felt guilty about.

When he came to his senses, he realized that Woo had seeped into his life like rain.

The reason Kang-oh first took notice of Woo, a lowly servant, was because of Jin-rang. But the man Kang-oh ended up encountering was nothing like what he had imagined.

Barely a month had passed since Kang-oh decided that Woo should be sent far away, somewhere out of his Master's sight. Yet now, the mere thought of Woo leaving Hee-do Won filled him with an inexplicable discomfort, like looking at a garden overrun with weeds.

The shabby man, who once seemed no better than a flea-bitten mule, began to resemble a willow in spring. Its slender branches hung low, adorned with soft, green shoots covered in silver fuzz.

Whenever the wind blew, the tree would sway endlessly, and the faint sound it made reminded Kang-oh of the waves he had once heard on the southern coast.

It was a sound that stirred something deep within him.

"Even if it's guilt…" Woo mustered the courage to speak, breaking the silence that hung heavily around them.

"That's not a bad feeling, is it?"

Gang-oh gazed at Woo's face as if he were looking at a freshly bloomed flower. Woo's scarred, disfigured skin made it hard to look at him for long, but from the beginning, Kang-oh had not cared about Woo's appearance. From the start, it was Woo's constantly averted gaze, those two shy and evasive eyes, that captured Kang-oh's attention.

"I have certainly received help from you, my Lord.. Is it wrong for me to call that a favor?" Woo bit his lip and added.

"…No matter how it started, my life has changed a lot."

Kang-oh had put an end to many of Woo's hardships—dealing with the Third Internal Officer, sleeping on a moldy mat in a cramped, damp servant's quarters. Kang-oh's efforts couldn't simply be dismissed as guilt. Woo didn't want to reduce them to that. Kang-oh had stood up to Jin-rang, the revered Master and ruler of the vast Black Sky Clan, to take Woo away from such a miserable existence.

No one could take such bold action on mere guilt. Cheap pity wouldn't outweigh someone's safety or future. That's why Woo didn't resent Kang-oh for rescuing him from the pit he had fallen into. He only wanted to leave because he couldn't stay by Kang-oh's side any longer.

In the end, Ye Jin-rang had instilled the Solitary Poison in Woo, but that didn't mean Kang-oh's actions were wrong. It was simply the cruel twist of fate.

"You're good at comforting people," Kang-oh muttered.

"Did… did it actually comfort you?" Woo asked hesitantly. If a few words could ease the weight on Kang-oh's heart, he was willing to say them again and again.

"Strangely so."

Kang-oh's lips moved, as if he were whispering to himself. His voice was low, almost inaudible.

"How could I have been unaware of your existence for the past eight years?"

"…How could a mere servant possibly dare to come and go freely in front of the Third Disciple?"

Even though Woo understood the reason better than anyone, he bowed his head and pretended not to know.

"I can't help but think that it would've been better if I had met you earlier. I feel like all the time that slipped away until now was wasted."

He left unsaid the words that lingered in his heart—It would've been so much better.

"It's too much attention for someone like me, just a servant."

"If you stop being a servant," Kang-oh asked, his tone unchanging, "would you then stop feeling burdened by the attention I give you?"

"..."

Caught off guard by the question, Woo bowed his head in embarrassment. Kang-oh placed a hand on his shoulder and lifted his head up.

"Don't say you're just a servant. From the very beginning, you were a person to me."

The one who should be described as "mere" was, in fact, the Third Internal Officer. The more Kang-oh thought about the way that general had abused Woo, a servant, the more his insides twisted with anger. The reason this man had to bow so deeply, sometimes trembling and often bedridden, was all because of that officerl's actions.

Just as a cliff that has been eroded cannot be restored to its original state, the time that the Third Internal Officer had stolen from Woo would never return. And yet, knowing this, Kang-oh kept pouring his efforts and resources into Woo, even if it felt like trying to fill an overflowing cup.

"Y-you're the only one who sees me as a person, my Lord."

Woo smiled—a clumsy, fragile smile, but a genuine one nonetheless.

Kang-oh was the only one who had ever shown even a shred of compassion to his wretched existence. For the past eight years, the only one who had even pretended to reach out to him was Ye Kang-oh.

To the world, Woo was nothing more than a crippled, stuttering servant, unworthy of kindness. It was only now, after everything, that Woo understood: the world had only been kind to him because of his noble blood, his handsome features, and his once-exceptional martial talent. It was as if he had been suddenly cast from a luxurious bed into a desert.

Accepting that this was where he belonged made it bearable, but the pain was still there. He already knew the world wasn't a beautiful place, but learning it so thoroughly, with pain etched into his very bones, came at an unbearable cost.

"You…"

Kang-oh noticed that Woo's face, which seemed to be on the verge of tears, was actually trying hard to force a smile. He opened his mouth as if to say something but then felt his lips dry up. Suddenly, he closed his mouth, and Woo's puzzled gaze followed him.

"No, nevermind. Just rest for today."

"Yes."

Kang-oh quickly walked into Hee-do Won, almost as if fleeing. Behind him, the faint rosy hue of the peach blossoms that had bloomed in Hee-do Won seemed to reflect on his face, a soft blush that lingered on his face.