Chapter 5.7: Past Relationships [Part 2]

[Present]

Dan Woo-hyo remained in Black Sky Clan as Woo, a servant.

Because he couldn't return. Because he didn't want to.

"The final resort… By that, do you mean completely erasing his memories?"

At Woo's question, Ye-jin-rang frowned and nodded.

"Not just removing parts, but wiping everything away and starting over from a blank slate."

What Jin-rang gave up wasn't just the title of "uncle." He relinquished everything his nephew, Kang-oh, might have remembered about his twin sister.

Due to the side effects of sorcery, his nephew's mind had completely collapsed from endlessly reliving Dan Woo-hyo's death.

"Even though he has grown strong now, will he still crumble?"

Woo pressed on desperately, as if grasping at straws.

Ye Jin-rang sighed. It was an uncharacteristic display of vulnerability for someone who was usually so confident.

"When a wound appears, the normal thing to do is treat it. But I just covered it up. Then, I laid new skin over it. If you peel it away, the wound underneath will still be bleeding."

"..."

"If one day, you suddenly found a wound you had no memory of, would you simply accept it and move on? No—you'd be confused."

Kang Oh's wound didn't even have a chance to heal. It was a relief that it remained as it was.

If it were to fester...

The person known as Ye Kang-oh, painstakingly built upon a blank slate through sorcery, would collapse from the ground up. There wouldn't even be a chance to seal his memories again—it would truly be the end.

Ye-jin-rang understood this well.

He had seen many people lose their minds to sorcery during their grueling battle against the Blood Cult. He had fought desperately, clinging to any chance to save even one more person. Yet, in the end, their minds always shattered like fragile glass in his hands.

Most were warriors abducted to be brainwashed. Among them were even some of the most renowned experts in the martial world: Grand Master Hyunyang of Shaolin, Elder Heon Heo-jin of Wudang, and Namgung Yu-yeok of the noble Namgung clan…

And not just them—there were even masters of the demonic sect, infamous for their ruthlessness, such as Iron Demon Imakbi and Jin-rang's dear friend, Geum Jeok-yo, the master of Saramyeon…

He had lost too many people.

At that time, Jin-rang began learning sorcery to fight against the Blood Cult. He was tired of merely standing by and watching. He got his hands on every forbidden and secret text he could find, spending countless nights engraving the banned techniques into his mind. For the first time, he was grateful for his exceptional memory—the same memory that allowed him to recall, even decades later, the exact moment he lost hold of his sister's hand.

It was also during that time that he became indebted to Seol Bu-yong. Using her position as the Imperial Princess of Yeongrin to its fullest, she even ransacked the imperial family's secret archives for him.

Fortunately, some of those kidnapped by the Blood Cult could have their memories sealed and be sent back to their previous lives. But those who had been completely broken by repeated sorcery became nothing more than empty husks—living puppets. They lost the ability to survive on their own, to the point where death would have been a kinder fate.

"It's not your fault."

It was right after he had lost another person due to his lack of skill. A man whispered to him, covering Jin-rang's eyes as he trembled before yet another hollow, lifeless body.

"You did your best; they would be satisfied with that."

Dan Baek-hoon stepped toward Jin-rang without hesitation—unlike everyone else, who kept their distance. Jin-rang tried to act indifferent, putting up a wall around himself, but Dan Baek-hoon was the only one who saw through him, the only one who understood how devastated he truly was. He had even helped suppress the rumors that Jin-rang had been experimenting with forbidden arts (sorcery) on the Blood Cult's victims.

There had been times like that...

"What about faking death and disappearing?"

"He's already in the process of regaining his memories, why not just ask him to break the seal himself? When his memories were sealed through sorcery, Kang Oh reacted sharply to the words 'uncle,' your name, and 'death.' It'll be the same this time as well."

"…"

It was one difficulty after another.

"This is a dilemma."

Jin-rang clicked his tongue. The Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan wielded absolute power—enough to level an entire mountain in a single day. But even he couldn't come up with an easy solution when Kang Oh's life was on the line.

If he could, he would have wrung this fake servant's neck a hundred times over. But with Kang Oh in mind, Jin-rang's hands were tied.

"I'll think of a way to get rid of you."

"…Yes."

"Do you even actually have any intention of leaving?"

"O-Of course… of course I do."

Woo stammered as he answered, nodding under Jin-rang's sharp gaze. Jin-rang looked him over with clear disapproval and muttered,

"Right. It's because you have some sense of shame that I've kept you alive so far."

"..."

"Don't forget. It was your desire to watch over Kang-oh, even from a distance, that has tangled up the situation like this."

Putting aside the two years spent bedridden, the tone of Jin-rang's voice, despite knowing how low Woo had lived for the next eight years, was spiteful.

Their reunion had been an accident. If not, it could only be described as fate.

Kang Oh, who never stayed in Black Sky Clan and always roamed outside, and Woo, who lived with his attendants and handled all kinds of menial tasks—meeting under these circumstances was as unexpected as snow falling in midsummer.

That was why Jin-rang felt so unsettled.

"The bruises will remain."

Ye-jin-rang muttered as he slowly stepped back. A bluish hue was already rising on Woo-hyo's neck.

If even the slightest movement had been made, his neck would have snapped. Even without that, it was clear that a dark bruise would soon form.

"I'm fine, I'm fine."

Woo muttered. As if it didn't matter, he dug his nails into the spot and scratched it, creating a wound.

When Ye-jin-rang looked at him in disbelief, Woo-hyo replied, "Ah, I can just say I had a nightmare and that's why this happened."

"Ah..."

He had only planned to take out some ointment since he was the one who lost control and strangled him. But seeing him harm himself as if it were nothing made his insides churn. Just like Seol Bu-yong, he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal—even if it meant damaging his own body.

Brilliant, yet self-destructive because he didn't care for himself..

'Is it wise to keep someone like this stay by Kang-oh's side?'

Jin-rang's eyes darkened. If he said Woo had gone missing, Kang Oh would definitely try to dig into it. But at least the impact wouldn't be as devastating.

That was just a temporary fix—one that would undoubtedly backfire. His nephew was relentless. Once he set his sights on something, he never let go. He had never been one to desire anything, but that only made it worse. The moment someone like him found something worth holding onto, it became irreplaceable.

And Jin-rang had no intention of making Dan Woo-hyo someone Kang Oh would never be able to forget.

"Your mother is still looking for you."

Ye Jin-rang spoke as if he had just remembered.

"She... She'll give up."

"It's been ten years."

"She just can't accept that her son is dead."

"Because Seol bu-yong is still holding on, the position of the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster has remained vacant for ten years."

"…"

Ye-jin-rang saw Woo-hyo's gaze waver for the first time and pressed on.

"If you've lost your way, why not return to where it all began?"

"That's... not my place."

Woo-hyo stubbornly replied.

"Why? Because you don't share Dan Baek-hoon's blood?"

At Ye-jin-rang's question, Woo-hyo fell silent. How foolish.

"…You wouldn't understand, Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan. Someone like you, who built everything with your own two hands, could never understand."

"Understand what?"

"The life of someone who owes everything they have."

It was because he was Dan Baek-hoon's child that he could become the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster at such a young age.

Everything he ate, wore, enjoyed, and even the education he received—externally, even the admiration, respect, goodwill, and attention of others—had all come from the influence and name of his parents.

If he had been an ordinary child, none of this would have felt like a debt. At the very least, it would have been a grace that could be repaid through filial piety, a natural love from a parent.

Seol Bu-yong may not have known, but at least Dan Baek-hoon—what he had given to Woo-hyo was a true debt.

"There's… nothing there that belongs to me."

It was not Dan Woo-hyo who spoke, but the servant Woo.

Now, the only thing he had left was a lingering worry. In the hollow shell of a man who was once the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster, only his feelings for Kang-oh remained.

"…"

Ye Jin-rang's gaze, fixed on Woo in silence, was dark.

"So that's why you won't go back? Because there's nothing there that belongs to you?"

Woo nodded. Ye-jin-rang swallowed a long-held sigh.

"There's nowhere in the Central Plains you can't wander, and you say you're staying in Black Sky Clan because of Kang-oh. But the reason you won't return to White Virtue Clan... is because you lost your martial arts, isn't it?"

Since it was customary to pass everything down to a successor when one's prime had passed, Dan Woo-hyo, who had lost his martial arts, had only one path left—downward.

It was understandable that he wouldn't want anyone to see him like this—his lifelong efforts shattered in an instant. Just as a dying tiger disappears into an unknown place, it was only natural for the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster—once an unmatched master—to leave the martial world after losing his inner strength.

Jin-rang, more than anyone, could understand that feeling. If a day came when he, too, grew weak like Dan Woo-Hyo, he would leave only a word for his disciples and choose to disappear forever.

This was a matter of pride, something he would uphold even with a blade at his throat. It was the only form of respect he could offer to his subordinates, who had placed their faith in his strength and relied on him entirely.

"...Perhaps it's for the best."

Dan Woo-hyo had already lost Dan Baek-hoon. Nothing in White Virtue Clan belonged to him anymore. A crushing sense of loss and the guilt of having shamelessly enjoyed his position for so long weighed heavily on him.

Having lost his martial arts meant he could no longer take responsibility for anything. If he returned, just as Peng had said, he might end up as nothing more than a pawn in his mother's bid for the throne. Because of Dan Baek-hoon, who had trusted him enough to entrust his internal energy, he couldn't allow White Virtue Clan to be used in such a way.

If he returned, he would have to confront Seol Bu-yong. But he didn't want to doubt her. What was lost was already gone, but at least by turning a blind eye, he could hold on to what little he had left.

Even so, as the Grandmaster of the White Virtue Clan, there were certain duties to fulfill. If Woo returned, he would not ignore his responsibilities.

Even if it meant a full-scale battle with Seol Bu-yong.

"It's like slapping a child in the face."

The position of Grandmaster of the White Virtue Clan would be far better suited for someone like his Junior female disciple, Namgoong Ji-yak, not a coward like this. According to Ye Jin-rang, Seol Bu-yong was holding her ground, but she would soon give up as well.

The relationship between Dan Woo-hyo and his mother was different from that of Dan Baek-hoon. While he respected her, he had never felt the affection from her that one would expect from a mother.

Yet...

Despite that...

Despite all that, Dan Woo-Hyo couldn't bring himself to take the first step in getting rid of Seol Bu-yong.

If the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan ever discovered this stubborn attachment, he would probably laugh at him. He might mock him as a pathetic child still unable to free himself from his mother's skirts, despite being the only one who could rival Ye Jin-rang, a top figure in the martial arts world, and the Black Sky Clan's Grandmaster.

"Ugh!"

Suddenly, without any warning, pain surged through him, and Woo-hyo nearly let out a scream. However, he clenched his teeth and endured it. No matter how much he drew on his patience to hold on, cold sweat quickly ran down his back, dripping steadily.

His entire body twisted in agony, and it became difficult to breathe. The pain started from his head, feeling as if his veins had been sliced open and poison poured into them, causing his body to scream in agony.

Solitary Poison!

"…"

Ye Jin-rang was looking down at Woo, who had collapsed. His expression, emotionless, seemed either angry or utterly indifferent.

"It's hard to listen to such absurdity."

Ye Jin-rang spat out, as if controlling the poison.

"You lived as a servant, but what's inside you isn't even the mentality of a slave. Why did you end up like this?"

Ye Jin-rang's gaze bore through Woo, who, despite gasping for breath in pain, met his stare without flinching.

"I thought you were just a foolish human, but now I see you're a complete idiot."

"…"

Believing the criticism was meant for him, Woo lowered his head and endured Yejinrang's harsh words.

"Dan Baek-hoon let himself get caught up in emotions and passed down the position of White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster to someone like this? How disgraceful."

Woo-hyo's shoulders trembled.

"Don't... don't insult him."

Jin-rang scoffed at Woo's clenched-teeth response.

"Insult? Back when we were fighting the Blood Alliance, I broke that guy's nose. Once those Blood Cult bastards were dead, we fought over who would be next to die. Compared to that, this barely even counts as an insult."

Clicking his tongue, Jin-rang shook his head. As expected of a young master—completely ignorant.

"To think the one who succeeded Dan Baek-hoon is this weak… It's beyond disheartening for someone like me, who fought back-to-back with him."

"…"

"Even if you can't help losing your skills, he shouldn't have given his position to a coward who doesn't even know pride."

Ye-jin-rang bent down and grabbed Woo-hyo's chin, lifting it up. Despite his words, there was no trace of mockery on his indifferent face.

As if Woo-hyo were not even worth the effort.

"That's why the Grandmaster of White Virtue Clan is groveling at the feet of the Black Sky Clan's Grandmaster like this."

Woo lowered his gaze. Jin-rang's words cut deep—because every last one of them was true.

"There's no point in wasting time on a defeated loser who exposes his belly before even fighting. Get lost."

Ye Jin-rang released his grip on Woo-hyo, as if he had expected this reaction. Once the supporting force disappeared, Woo's body, barely holding on due to the effects of Solitary Poison, collapsed onto the ground.

The Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan left the bamboo forest without looking back. Woo, barely managing to compose himself, leaned against a bamboo stalk and pushed himself up.

His insides felt like they were in turmoil, as if he had sustained internal injuries. After coughing a few times, blood stained his palm.

He worried about how to hide this.

Woo wiped his palm inside his clothes. Hoping that Yeon-jin, who would be waiting to guide him back to the Hee-do Won, wouldn't catch the scent of blood, he took a step forward.

Although the surroundings were dark due to the effects of the formation, it was a bright night with a full moon.

"Y-Your neck!"

Yeon-jin, who had been anxiously pacing with a lantern, was the first to speak as soon as she saw Woo.

Between the red marks that would definitely turn into bruises, there were black spots. It was a strangely ominous color. Yeon-jin didn't know, but these were signs of the poison that appeared right after the Solitary Poison took effect and was now starting to fade.

As Woo-hyo belatedly rubbed his neck, Yeon-jin's eyes trembled. Unable to hold back her tears, she bit her lip.

"P-Please pretend you didn't see anything."

Yeon-jin turned her head away. A sniffle escaped her as she tried to compose herself. When she met Woo-hyo's gaze again, her eyes were red.

"I-I caused this, didn't I?"

"No, that's not it at all."

Woo-hyo replied firmly.

"The Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan doesn't care about such trivial things."

The words felt harsh, but Woo said them with the intent of making her stop worrying. Yeon-jin's eyes began to fill with tears again.

However, she bit her lip and held back her tears. She believed that even if it wasn't entirely her fault, she couldn't allow herself to cry when thinking about the suffering Woo-hyo had endured because of her.

"...Let's go back and rest."

Yeonjin, holding the lantern, led the way. Even with the light cutting through the darkness, her steps were unsteady.

Yet, until they reached the Hee-do Won, Yeon-jin did not stumble or stop.

***

The moon was bright, but the land was dark. There were eyes watching the man who walked out of the bamboo forest.

'...Who is that man?'

The First Disciple, Mo Yong-yun, was watching from a distance with a look on his face as if he had seen a ghost.

He had obtained some fine wine and was on his way to present it to his master. Having been in a long-standing master-disciple relationship, he knew that on nights when the moon was bright, Jin-rang would stay awake, not sleeping through the night.

On such nights, if he visited with a bottle of wine, they would share a silence together, without needing to talk much.

He had planned to do the same today. However, as he continued walking, he felt the path twisting and saw mist creeping in. Realizing that a formation had been activated, Yong-yun clicked his tongue in frustration.

From the moment the Black Sky Clan was first established, Jin-rang had been involved. Not only the buildings but even the walls and trees had been carefully placed with purpose. The purpose was to set up a formation to block intruders. Typically, these geographical features would only move when Ye-jin-rang activated them, but sometimes, the weather or the flow of yin and yang would align, causing them to move on their own.

Mo Yong-yun believed today was one of those days. Though he didn't understand the formation well, he recalled a talisman he had received from his master. It was the jade plaque proving his status as the First Disciple. Taking it out from his robes, he activated the plaque to illuminate the area, and it reflected light, opening the path for him.

the formation as soon as possible, Yoo Un moved forward. Among the rumors circulating in Black Sky Clan, there were stories of martial artists who disappeared during patrols and later appeared on the opposite outskirts. This was caused by getting caught in a formation that had been triggered incorrectly.

Though it was said that no harm would come, the drop in morale that would follow for a while was unavoidable, so it was better to stop the situation before it escalated.

However, Yu-woon completely dismissed the possibility that Ye Jin-rang had intentionally activated this formation.

As he neared the Master's residence, the First Disciple stopped. Originally, the area should have been deserted, but there was a flickering light ahead.

A lone figure holding a lantern.

Being naturally cautious, Yu-woon stepped back, realizing that there might be another visitor. For the First Disciple, this was, in a sense, a fortunate discovery. Yoo Un had stopped upon seeing the lantern, and it was at a distance so far that, without paying careful attention, Jin-rang wouldn't have noticed his arrival.

'Does this mean that Master activated the formation himself?'

For the First Disciple, it was impossible to guess who Jin-rang could be meeting under such tight security.

Since Ye Jin-rang was taking such precautions for a secret meeting, it would be the proper course of action for Yu-woon to retreat as a disciple.

However, Yu-woon felt a surge of curiosity. Secrets, at times, become a source of power. Yu-woon was well aware of this.

With alcohol as a convenient excuse, Yu-woon chose not to return to his quarters. Instead, he concealed his presence and waited.

Under the bluish moonlight, Woo-hyo emerged from the bamboo forest. The First Disciple focused his internal energy into his eyes, taking in the man's features. For a moment, he couldn't recognize the man, even though he had encountered him before. He had never paid much attention to a mere servant. But then, belatedly recalling the distorted features of Woo as he had seen him beside Kang-oh, Yu-woon felt a pang of confusion.

'What is he doing at my master's residence at this hour...?'

Just as the excitement swelling in his chest was about to fade, the clouds parted. An unusually bright moon illuminated Woo as he stepped out from between the bamboo stalks.

The moon painted over Yu-woon's vision, revealing a secret only he could see.

Even Woo's shell, torn apart by Ye Jin-rang's words, could no longer fully hide who he truly was.

The servant's posture was straighter than usual. Though he had coughed up blood, he wiped it away indifferently. For a moment, his face went blank—free of submission and obedience, standing alone with dignity.

Mo Yong-yu, who had been focused solely on the reactions of his youngest junior disciple rather than the servant that Kang-oh had brought in, finally looked directly at Woo-hyo.

A sense of déjà vu washed over him. Yu-woon scoured his memories, trying to recall where he had seen such a face before.

In his lifetime, he had only ever encountered a man like that once.

'No way… That's impossible, but…'

A quick yet graceful step, swift but never reckless. A tall, upright posture, no longer hunched, carrying an air of wistfulness under the moonlight.

Though the skin on his face had melted away, making it difficult to recognize his original features, his expression was impossible to hide.

It was strange that he had not recognized him until now...

No, it was impossible. And yet, for some reason, he couldn't look away. A possibility—an unshakable suspicion—began to take root in Mo Yong-yu-woon's heart.

'...Dan Woo-hyo?'

Even though he was the one who made the connection, the First Disciple frowned.

The very thought of comparing the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster, missing for ten years, to a mere servant was unsettling. How could he even entertain such a thought?

To Yu-woon, the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster was a secret idol, an ideal he had never spoken of to anyone—one he had kept only in his heart.

It was before his disappearance, back when he had just inherited the position of Grandmaster.

At the time, Yu-woon had been on his way to Sichuan under his master's orders. Several warriors from the Black Sky Clan had vanished near the Yangtze River, one after another.

While investigating the nearby residents, he spotted a man dressed in white standing on a pavilion overlooking the Yangtze River. The man's long hair fluttered in the wind as he gazed down at the water. Though he wore a veil, passersby couldn't help but steal glances at his strikingly dignified presence.

Yu-woon, for his part, forgot his mission entirely as he stared at the man. Unlike others, he recognized Dan Woo-hyo.

It was a one-sided connection.

When he visited White Virtue Clan as Black Sky Clan's representative, he had taken notice of Dan Baek-hoon's sole successor. The young man, said to carry the blood of the imperial family, possessed everything Yu-woon had ever desired.

Inborn grace and noble lineage. Power and wealth. A level of martial prowess that made even those far beyond his generation seem insignificant in comparison.

And more than anything—he was irreplaceable.

Yu-woon envied everything about Dan Woo-Hyo. If he could consume him entirely and make everything his own, he would go to any lengths to do so.

Though he was the heir of a prestigious family in the Righteous Path, he was bound to the Demonic Path, his circumstances far too different from Dan Woo-Hyo's. If the Mo Yong family had survived, he might not have been an envoy of the Black Sky Clan, but instead a rising talent of the Righteous path, standing by Dan Woo-Hyo's side. Perhaps they could have even been friends.

Whenever that thought crossed his mind, a tightness gripped his chest. The longing for the family he had lost, the regret for a future that was supposed to be his—it consumed him.

Dan Woo-hyo was that kind of existence—a symbol of everything he had lost forever.

Thus, the fact that Mo Yong Yu-woon had not been able to forget Dan Woo-hyo until this day was a kind of melancholy.

Whenever Ye Kang-oh appeared and the once-solid position he held in the Black Sky Clan began to waver, he would occasionally think of Dan Woo-hyo.

If the Mo Yong family had not been annihilated by the Blood Cult, he would not have had to worry about displeasing his capricious master. As the direct heir, he would have become the next head of the Mo Yong family, overshadowing his siblings. He wouldn't have had to live constantly wary of someone like Kang-oh, who didn't even know his own lineage.

'That can't be true.'

Mo Yong-yun covered his mouth with his hand.

The perfect Dan Woo-hyo, who seemed so flawless despite his loneliness, could not possibly be the same person as that servant who's trembling at the feet of the youngest disciple.

'It shouldn't be like that.'

Even if it were true, how could someone who reminded him of the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster possibly belong to Kang-oh?

Yu-woon's face twisted with disgust.

Even if there wasn't the slightest chance that he was the same person as the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster, the fact that the servant of all people belonged to the youngest disciple still didn't sit right with him.

If it had belonged to the second disciple, the situation would have been different. But Ye Kang-oh was different. He always took whatever he wanted without any effort—whether it was their master's affection or his position in the Black Sky Clan.

Jealousy and desire made his mouth go dry.

Yu-woon's eyes followed the attendant leading the servant toward Hee-do Won. His grip tightened around the bottle in his hand until the neck shattered.

Crash! The shards hit the ground, and the rich scent of liquor spread through the air. Yu-woon dusted off the white powder clinging to his hand and turned around.

There was something he needed to do.

***

The night in Hee-do Won was silent upon Woo's return. After telling Yeon-jin to go ahead, he walked slowly, taking his time.

As he lifted his head, he noticed the moon shining brightly. He had never realized how beautiful moonlight could be. Perhaps it was because he had always moved under the cover of darkness, like an uninvited guest.

There had been times when he looked up at the sky without a heavy heart. Before he hid himself in the shadows out of shame, he had once walked proudly under the midday sun.

But now, the only person standing here was a powerless, pathetic fugitive.

He had thought that, given enough time, his emotions would be washed away like the relentless currents of the Yangtze River. Yet they still clung to him, refusing to let go.

"I didn't know you enjoyed night strolls."

"…!"

Startled by the sudden voice, Woo-hyo turned around.

Kang-oh emerged from the darkness, striding forward.

'Why is he here?'

Woo-hyo was flustered. Ye Jin-rang would never have handled things carelessly. For him to escape from Hee-do Won, it was crucial that Kang-oh remained unaware of it. Jin-rang must have used his own methods to keep Kang-oh occupied while Yeon-jin had been tasked with guiding him. How could he have known that Woo-hyo had slipped away and was now waiting for him?

Could it have something to do with his unique constitution that kept breaking through sorcery?

"M-Master…"

Kang-oh, dressed in a simple robe, seemed to have noticed Woo-hyo's absence while trying to sleep. Even when fully dressed in his usual attire, he had a strangely mesmerizing presence. But now, with his robe slightly open, just enough to hint at his chest, his usually austere image carried an almost dangerous allure.

Kang-oh's lips quivered slightly as he stared at Woo, who was frozen. His hand slowly reached forward and tapped Woo's neck.

He had undoubtedly noticed Jin-rang's handprint. Woo parted his lips, ready to give the excuse he had prepared in advance.

"I-I had a nightmare..."

"You strangled yourself in your sleep?"

Kang-oh let out a bitter laugh. The black bruise that had once marked Woo's neck had faded, but the handprint had darkened, standing out in stark contrast.

"It seems you think I'm a fool."

"N-No, that's not it!"

"You went to see Master, didn't you?"

Woo shook his head.

"I had a nightmare... and tried to take my own life. I wanted to calm down so I stepped outside…"

It was a plausible excuse. But Kang-oh was not deceived.

"I can smell blood."

Even if Yeon-jin didn't notice, she couldn't hide the scent of blood from Kang-oh. The scent was faint, mixed with the night dew, but no warrior who had crossed the line between life and death would fail to notice it.

"I-I think it's because of my throat."

Kang-oh grabbed Woo's sleeve and turned it over. Blood, coughed up from internal injuries, was smeared on the fabric.

Having lost his internal energy and fallen into a long illness afterward, Woo's night vision had dulled, and he hadn't noticed it himself.

"I-I understand this looks bad, but whatever you're thinking, i-it's not that. P-please don't worry."

Woo stepped back as he spoke.

Kang-oh wasn't gripping tightly, so the blood-stained sleeve slipped away easily. Confusion filled Woo's eyes, as he hadn't expected Kang-oh to release him so easily.

"You... are you more concerned about what I might worry about than your own condition?"

Kang-oh's face, which came into Woo's view, was horrifically contorted. He looked so pained that Woo felt an urge to ask if he was okay.

It was clear he had made a mistake, but Woo couldn't understand why. Anxious, he bit his lip.

"T-That's not it…"

He shook his head, but Kang-oh clearly didn't believe him.

"...You're terrible at lying, yet you're so desperate to hide it. Is it because of me?"

The nightmares, the claim that he hadn't seen his master—all of it had been a lie.

Woo's excuses were so shallow that it was easy to see through them without even needing to press him. It was obvious that he wasn't used to this.

It seemed like it would be less painful if he had just decided to deceive him outright. Seeing him struggle so badly made Kang-oh want to just play along.

"...Are you afraid of me confronting my Master?"

Woo weakly shook his head.

"I-It's... it's not like that."

Woo let his hands drop to his sides, pressing his lips together. There was so little he could say to Kang-oh that he always ended up feeling small in front of him.

What did Kang-oh think of him? A liar?

Kang-oh furrowed his brows. He thought he'd hit the mark, but he didn't even offer a weak excuse. Does he truly have another reason but is unable to say it?

He had never seen anyone with as many secrets as Woo in his life.

"Follow me."

With those words, Kang-oh turned sharply. His movements carried a chill, like a cold wind had swept through. Woo couldn't say anything more and simply followed.

Unlike usual, Kang-oh made no effort to match his pace. Instead, he strode ahead with long, purposeful steps.

It would be no surprise if he was growing tired of him. A servant who never explained himself and was constantly frustrating—anyone would want to throw him away.

But in reality, Kang-oh was seething inside. He wasn't afraid of being hurt. What he feared was taking out this irritation on Woo.

Woo would comply no matter the insults or rough treatment, so the only option was to be careful around him.

Listening to the sound of Woo's limping footsteps behind him, Kang-oh suppressed his irritation. He slowly relaxed his hands, which were becoming white from the tension.

As dawn approached, leaving behind the humid air, Kang-oh stepped onto the wooden floor and silently waited, then helped Woo as he took off his shoes and came up.

Since Kang-oh had been quiet the whole time, Woo observed him carefully, but there was nothing to decipher from that expressionless face. Like a peony before it blooms, Kang-oh was like a tightly closed bud.

It was similar in that it didn't easily reveal what colors and scents it held, making people anxious.

"Come in."

Unexpectedly, Kang-oh led Woo not to his own quarters but to his own room.

For a space that was part of Hee-do Won, it was rather bleak. While it had the bare necessities of furniture, there were no decorations or signs of someone truly living there.

There were no scattered clothes, no half-used writing brushes or inkstones—just a neat and orderly interior. It was clear this wasn't due to a servant's care but simply the way things were.

Someone had clearly been asleep and woken up, yet not even the slightest wrinkle remained on the bedding. It had to be Kang-oh's doing.

"Sit down."

Woo, awkwardly standing by the door, shook his head when Kang-oh gestured toward the bed.

"I-I'll stay here."

"I won't say it twice."

In the end, Woo stepped into Kang-oh's quarters. The pressure weighing on him made it impossible to either sit or stand properly.

Kang-oh opened a wooden box, rummaged through it, then returned with something in hand. Placing a firm but gentle hand on Woo's shoulder, he guided him to sit down.

It was a soft yet firm strength. Woo slumped down as if his legs had given way, bowing his head.

"Lift your head."

At Kang-oh's words, Woo hesitantly raised his gaze. Through the semi-transparent window, moonlight seeped in, casting a bluish glow over the room.

It was a color that could only be seen in that fleeting moment when night transitions to dawn.

The pale moonlight gently caressed Kang-oh's face, highlighting the slight furrow in his brow as he concentrated on something.

Had he always… been this tall?

"Ugh...!"

As Woo was about to lose himself in his thoughts, Kang-oh's fingers touched his neck.

Woo flinched with a stifled groan, instinctively shrinking back. Surprised, Kang-oh withdrew slightly and asked, "I'm sorry. Does it hurt?"

Woo quickly shook his head.

"N-No, it doesn't..."

Along with the fingers, he felt a slightly sticky, cool sensation and the scent that tickled his nose made Woo realize that what Kang-oh had brought was ointment.

Scooping up a generous amount of the ointment with his fingers, Kang-oh parted his lips.

"Then just stay still."

"Yes..."

Woo's eyelashes trembled.

'How strange… Why does that low voice echo in my head like thunder?'

Tension crept in on its own, making him want to swallow the saliva gathering in his mouth, but the vivid sensation against his throat made even that difficult.

Was it some kind of spell cast by the moon? The person in front of him felt closer than he appeared.

All other sounds faded away, leaving only the faint sound of the other person's breathing in their place. It even felt like if he listened closely enough, he could hear the slow, steady beating of a heart.

It was as if he had been trapped inside a strange formation. If it were an ordinary one, he might have found a way to break free, but in this moment, he couldn't even begin to guess how to escape.

Kang-oh's fingers gently glided over the bluish bruise forming on Woo's neck. Those fingers, which had generously scooped up the ointment, meticulously spread it over every inch of the bruise.

Woo could feel his shoulders trembling slightly.

"…Hngh."

As Kang-oh's hand brushed over the particularly deep nail marks, Woo flinched. He tried not to react, but his lips betrayed his will.

It was truly strange.

He had once trained with a sword until the soft flesh of his palms had burst open. Even as the Grandmaster, he had never hesitated to put himself in harm's way—he had been pierced by blades in battle, struck by blunt weapons, and even fallen off a cliff. The scars from the whip of the third Internal Officer still remained on his back. He had carried Solitary Poison in his body and had even burned his own face.

And this wound—he had inflicted it upon himself.

Though painful, he could endure all of it.

But this sensation—resembling an itch yet strangely subtle and sweet—was impossible to endure.

"Just hold on a little longer. I'm almost done."

Kang-oh whispered. As dawn approached, the blue hue that filled the room was reflected in his eyes as well. With his gaze lowered slightly, his features seemed unusually delicate.

Woo momentarily forgot to breathe and averted his gaze to the side.

Kang-oh at that moment was like poison to his eyes.

Whether it was the atmosphere or the moon's strange pull, he couldn't tell.

All he could do was endure Kang-oh's treatment and hope this moment passed quickly.

"It's done."

Kang-oh's fingers slowly withdrew from Woo's skin.

Woo, his mouth suddenly dry, found himself regretting the loss of warmth—then bit his tongue in shock.

He must have been out of his mind.

What on earth was there to regret? He was finally free from this awkward, bewildering moment.

"Th-Thank you."

Woo's voice came out small and hesitant, as if he's frightened.

Kang-oh hesitated. In his rush to treat Woo's wounds, he had pushed him too hard again. It was like forcefully applying medicine to someone who was being strangled—of course, Woo would resist.

He wanted to bite his own tongue for telling him to stay still.

"...You can go back."

Forcing those words out, Kang-oh turned away, clenching his teeth.

He was sick of making one mistake after another.

Woo, who had been carefully observing Kang-oh's downcast demeanor, bowed his head.

"Th-Thank you for treating me."

"...Take it and apply it every day."

"...!"

Woo instinctively started to shake his head at the container of golden wound medicine Kang-oh tossed at him—then froze. If he refused, Kang-oh might insist on applying it himself again.

In that case, it would be better for him to take the ointment and treat himself.

"Th-Thank you. I'll use it well."

Seeing Woo accept the ointment without hesitation, Kang-oh smiled bitterly.

"I-I will take my leave."

As soon as he finished his bow, Woo stepped back as if he wanted to leave the room as quickly as possible. Behind him, his shadow stretched long across the floor.

'If I hold onto that shadow... will I be able to hold onto you as well...?'

Before he realized it, Kang-oh's hand had started to reach out, but he withdrew it and turned away.

He could feel Woo's presence growing distant.

Perhaps it was a trick of the early dawn, but today, the fading sound of those footsteps felt especially difficult to bear.