Chapter 6.3: No Wind, No Waves

"Aigo...! My son, my son… Myeong-ah!"

Suddenly, a man draped in golden silk rushed forward, cradling the body in his arms and weeping uncontrollably.

He had a round physique that resembled more of a scholar than a martial artist. He was a merchant operating a trading group within Black Sky Clan's territory. While not particularly influential, his wife came from a noble family, granting him ties to local authorities. Though he wasn't a renowned figure in the martial world, the fact that he had the means to mobilize the authorities means that this was going to be troublesome.

He suddenly appeared in front of Honamgak after receiving a report that his son had been killed by a member of the Southern Lake Group. When the Southern Lake Group members blocked his path, he shouted that his father-in-law had connections to the local lord and threatened to mobilize the authorities to arrest everyone involved. That was a little over two hours ago when Kang-oh coldly told them to let him in.

Now, as a coffin was brought in to collect the corpse, he clung to the lid, wailing that he wouldn't take a single step until his son's unjust death was avenged.

It was chaos. At the very least, there had never been a case of an outsider causing such a disturbance in Black Sky Clan before.

"I will report this to the lord! How could my only son die so unjustly...?!"

Kang-oh narrowed his eyes. The member he had sent to the physician had not yet returned. Yet, this trader was certain that it was his son who died and had barged in without hesitation.

The implications of this were clear. Whoever it was, they wanted to pin the blame for the murder on the Southern Lake Group..

"Third Disciple!"

Just then, the messenger returned from the medical hall and was about to report to Kang-oh, but she hesitated upon noticing the outsider's presence.

"Did you find out anything?

Kang-oh asked confidently, as if he had nothing to hide. The Southern Lake Group member, who had been about to step back quietly, hesitated before seemingly grasping her lord's intent. She straightened her posture and spoke.

"Yes. He was one of the newly recruited martial artists who received treatment at the medical hall a day ago."

"Because of his tongue?"

"No, that's not it. There was a sparring match restricted to warriors who had been in Black Sky Clan for at least three months. He fractured his arm during the match, so they applied a splint. As for his tongue…"

Everyone was focused on the Southern Lake Group member's words. She swallowed hard before continuing.

"They say the Second Disciple cut it off himself."

"Senior Disciple Yeom?" Kang-oh frowned and glanced back at the coffin. The middle-aged man, who had been weeping uncontrollably while holding onto the coffin, suddenly stood up. It seemed he hadn't registered the conversation at all, as he stubbornly insisted.

"I must see the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan! I may be nothing more than the head of a minor merchant group, but how can I stand by when my son has died such an unjust death?"

Though he managed to rise with dignity, Kang-oh simply stared at him without responding. Under that heavy, icy gaze, the merchant shrank back more and more.

"How convenient."

Kang-oh's lips finally parted, and the words that had kept the man waiting slipped out.

"How incredibly convenient."

Kang-oh muttered the words as if savoring them. The trader, whose face flushed with anger, shot back.

"W-What exactly do you mean by that?"

He tried to speak with confidence, but he couldn't stop his voice from trembling.

"First of all, civilians aren't allowed to enter Black Sky Clan territory. So how did you make it all the way to Honamgak?"

"I-I came to deliver goods. Our group has been trading with the Third Internal Officer for a long time, and I have proof of that."

In an attempt to justify himself, the man pulled out a document stamped with the Third Internal Officer's seal, along with his pass. The date on it was indeed today. The problem was that the Third Internal Officer—the very person he claimed to have been dealing with—no longer existed in this world.

Black Sky Clan was known for keeping internal matters from leaking outside, but even for someone as indifferent as Kang-oh, this situation was almost laughable.

"You had enough information to learn of your son's death and come all the way to Honamgak… yet somehow, you're completely unaware that the Third Internal Officer of Black Sky Clan have been removed from their position?"

It's incomplete information.

Kang-oh tapped the hilt of his sword with his fingers. Even though he hadn't released a single thread of energy, the merchant instinctively swallowed hard, suddenly reminded that Kang-oh was a swordsman.

"T-That is... I received a letter. It said that if I didn't go immediately to find out the truth about my son's brutal death, the incident would be buried, and the culprit would roam free under the heavens. Ugh... Myung-ah... My son…"

The man broke down in tears again. While it was understandable for a father to grieve his lost child, his tendency to cry every time he was at a loss for words or unable to explain something made Kang-oh's lips press into a firm line.

"You knew your son was murdered, but you didn't know who the murderer was?"

At Kang-oh's words, the merchant bit his lip before responding.

"I will reveal the culprit only before the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan! Only he can make a clear judgment and bring justice for my son's death!"

His face was full of self-importance, as if he truly knew something. Just as Kang-oh was about to retort, a loud voice, powerful enough to shake the very foundations of the Honamgak, echoed through the air.

"Silence!"

The voice was powerful enough to feel like an actual martial technique used to attack with sound. The merchant, who had no martial arts training, staggered from the sheer force of it. If there had been even a bit internal energy behind the shout, his ears would have started bleeding.

"These nobodies call for the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan as if summoning the neighbor's dog."

"Greetings to the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan."

With an irritated expression, the man with unparalleled beauty made his entrance, and Kang-oh quickly prostrated himself. The members of the Southern Lake Group followed suit, showing their respect to the Grandmaster of the Black Sky Clan.

It was Jin-rang, whom the Merchant had desperately been searching for.

"Master, I apologize for not properly overseeing what happened at Honamgak, causing you unnecessary concern."

Kang-oh bowed deeply. No matter what had happened, it was still an incident within Honamgak, making it his responsibility.

"That's enough. I heard my disciple was performing a sword dance for the first time in a while, so I came to watch, yet I find some insolent fool daring to challenge the authority of Black Sky Clan?"

Jin-rang waved his hand dismissively as he asked. The Merchant, who had been trembling, finally lifted his head. He believed this was his chance.

"Gr-Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan! I am a merchant from the Eon family, conducting trade between Sichuan and Cheonghae–"

"Silence. I did not permit you to speak."

"Ugh, I..."

An overwhelming pressure bore down on the Merchant's shoulders. Jin-rang's invisible aura pushed him deeper into the ground, even though he was already kneeling.

Considering it was purely driven by his aura, it was terrifying. Skilled martial artists could intimidate ordinary people with their murderous intent or fighting spirit, but they couldn't exert real physical force. What Jin-rang displayed was a level even the elite warriors of the Black Sky Clan would struggle to imagine.

"I failed to properly control the outsider's entry and caused you worry, Master. Please punish me."

Kang-oh knelt properly and bowed his head. Jin-rang let out a snort and withdrew his overwhelming aura. The merchant, clutching his chest, panted heavily.

Had Kang-oh not pleaded for punishment himself, Jin-rang would have kept up the pressure until the man was on the verge of throwing up.

After all, the Black Sky Clan was a martial arts organization. Only the chosen few could step over its high threshold. Moreover, the fact that an ordinary person dared to confront the Third Disciple in front of his master, the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan, could not simply be overlooked for the sake of Black Sky Clan's reputation.

The moment that fool disrespected his beloved youngest disciple, his fate was sealed.

"Give him a hundred lashes and throw him out of the Black Sky Clan. How did someone like him get in here in the first place?"

Jin-rang's mood was thoroughly ruined. Instead of the sword dance he had eagerly anticipated, he had to witness an arrogant fool brazenly disrespecting Kang-oh.

A hundred lashes—it was practically a death sentence. The merchant leader, his face pale, looked up at Jin-rang. Jin-rang, who held the highest position in the Demonic Path, gazed down at him with eyes colder than if he were looking at an insect.

His stare was so icy it was hard to believe they were the same kind of being.

At that moment, Kang-oh stepped forward.

"Master, I think we need to uncover the whole truth about this situation."

Jin-rang was about to say that while they would investigate the murder on their own, there was no need to bother with someone like him. To Jin-rang, who had encountered all kinds of liars in his life, this middle-aged man was no different. Those who were truly grieving did not cry out for others to hear.

Yet this man, who claimed to be the dead man's father, wept loudly, as if making sure everyone could hear. He wasn't doing it out of grief. He was trying to make the issue bigger—to ensure it couldn't be covered up and to extract a greater reward.

However, Kang-oh's plea caused him to waver, prompting him to ask one more question.

"Why?"

Kang-oh answered respectfully, "Because it appears to be an attempt to tarnish Honamgak's reputation."

"You think there is someone behind this?"

"Even if he's from a merchant group that trades with the Black Sky Clan, I believe the timing of this man's appearance is far too coincidental."

Thanks to Kang-oh, the middle-aged man, who had been flattened in fear before Jin-rang, suddenly lifted his head at Kang-oh's words. Then he blurted out something no one expected.

"I heard you cherished your servant so much that you even carried him up and down the stairs! You brutally killed my son just because he spread rumors about that wretch, and now you're looking for some mastermind? What are you hoping to find by chasing after a mastermind that doesn't even exist? Are you trying to further disgrace my son's death—kuheok!"

The middle-aged man's face turned ashen. He had intended to throw dirt at Kang-oh, but instead, he had triggered the Grandmaster of the Black Sky Clan.

"So, what you're saying is..."

Furious, Jin-rang reached out, and the man's body floated up into the air.

"Telekinesis!" someone watching muttered.

"So you're saying that my disciple killed your son because of some ridiculous rumor and is now acting like he had nothing to do with it?"

The face of the merchant leader, strangled in mid-air, turned blue, then white, then back to blue again.

They used to say that making the Grandmaster of the Black Sky Clan angry was even more dangerous than crawling out of a pit filled with a hundred exploding bombs with nothing but your bare body. At least in the pit, you'd only die alone.

However, now that he had provoked Jin-rang's anger, even if his entire family were to be utterly wiped out, he would have no right to utter a single complaint.

"Guh, guh...!"

As the man struggled for breath, Kang-oh stepped forward at just the right moment.

"You seem to know an awful lot about something that happened only a day ago."

"…!"

"From the Righteous Path to the Western Lands, the Black Sky Clan keeps a keen ear out for information, but your ears seems to be the sharpest. I can't help but want them for myself."

Even as he spoke of wanting it, Kang-oh's expression remained calm.

Jin-rang must have eased his grip slightly, as the color began to return to the middle-aged man's face. The man's face, which had turned red and swollen, seemed to have given up struggling and let his limbs go limp.

Right on cue, Jin-rang released his telekinetic hold, the man's body collapsed to the ground.

"If you want to live, answer my disciple's question." The Grandmaster of the Black Sky Clan snapped sharply and stepped back.

After a moment, the man, still coughing, finally opened his mouth. His voice, hoarse from being strangled, sounded far weaker than before.

"They said... my son... was dead... and that the one who killed him... was in Honamgak. They said it would be easy to find, since there is only one grand hall on the outskirts of the Black Sky Clan."

"And who delivered the letter to you?"

"No one. I was checking the inventory of the goods to be delivered... and there was a letter slipped in among them."

Il-woon stepped forward and searched the merchant's belongings. He soon pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, confirming the merchant's earlier claims.

The letter stated that his son had been murdered at Honamgak. It claimed that a member of the Southern Lake Group, harboring malice over the rumors spread about their lord, had committed the crime.

The writer claimed to have witnessed the incident but, due to lacking martial skills, could neither help nor catch the culprit. They urged the reader to visit Honamgak and escalate the matter before the incident was covered up.

"I rushed to Honamgak and, just in time, saw warriors stuffing my son's body into a rough wooden coffin... I never learned martial arts, so all I could do was shout to draw attention."

He made it sound as if it were all a series of coincidences. But something about his story didn't sit right with Kang-oh.

First of all, the Third Internal Officer was already dead. Moreover, the reason for his death was related to bribery. All of Black Sky Clan's trade partners under his management had undergone re-investigation, and only those who passed verification were issued new permits. Then how had this man, who seemed unaware of the Third Internal Officer's death, managed to enter the Black Sky Clan's territory?

Was it because the guards of Black Sky Clan were negligent? If not, the only explanation was that someone had helped this merchant gain entry.

Secondly, the letter's content contradicted the merchant's claims. While he had fiercely accused Kang-oh of being the murderer, the letter stated that a member of the Southern Lake Group had committed the murder out of admiration for their lord.

Was he blaming Kang-oh because the ultimate cause of the incident lay with him? That didn't make sense either.

Thirdly, it was suspicious that a reasonably established merchant leader, with connections to the authorities, would receive a letter from an unknown source and proceed to stir up trouble within the Black Sky Clan. Martial arts organizations, whether in the Righteous Path or the Demonic Path, were known for their strictness, and those without martial skills were often overwhelmed by the aura of passing martial artists, instinctively keeping their distance.

One might dismiss him as a foolish man driven by an excessive love for his son. However, instead of becoming clearer, the circumstances only grew more suspicious.

Who on earth had done this, and what were they after?

"If there is a clear criminal, they must pay the price," Kang-oh stated firmly.

Jin-rang, who had been observing him closely, narrowed his eyes, as if trying to gauge his disciple's true intentions. Of all his disciples, Kang-oh, his own blood, was the hardest to read.

The merchant, who had vehemently accused Kang-oh of being his son's murderer, was now so taken aback by the Third Disciple's willingness to investigate the murder that he could only open and close his mouth silently. However, his expression soon twisted as if a new thought had struck him.

"Are you trying to handle the investigation yourself to cover things up even more?"

"Even if I don't, Master was already planning to cover it up."

At Kang-oh's retort, the merchant leader turned pale, perhaps recalling how close he had come to receiving a hundred lashes.

"If you want to doubt me, go ahead."

Even though it was an outrageously arrogant statement, it was true that there was nothing the merchant could do even if he was suspicious. Despite sensing this, the merchant's face showed an expression as if he were suffocating under a different kind of pressure than what he had felt from Jin-rang.

With this, Kang-oh judged that they had reached a mutual understanding and abruptly turned away. The twisted curve of Kang-oh's lips caught Jin-rang and Il-woon's eyes. It was rare for Kang-oh, usually calm and collected, to show such an emotional reaction.

"What do you plan to do?"

Jin-rang asked, his brows furrowing. Kang-oh answered respectfully.

"I will go meet my Senior Disciple. I need to dig into this from the beginning."

Jin-rang frowned. "If you insist on taking the difficult path, I won't stop you, but... I can't bear to watch that man treat you with such disrespect."

"I'll report back after I've resolved this matter."

"Tsk, and I thought I would finally get to see your sword dance again..."

"My skills are still lacking, but since Master thinks so fondly of them, I will make sure to create an opportunity for you to see it, Master."

At Kang-oh's words, Jin-rang's gaze shifted, revealing a hint of intrigue.

His youngest disciple—his sister's son—was never the warm type, not even as a courtesy. While he had always been polite, this was the first time he had ever taken the initiative to do something on his own.

Jin-rang wanted to give him everything. Gold and jewels held no appeal to him; he was only interested in martial arts and would sometimes smile while looking at flowers. So, he created a paradise on earth for him. Yet, Kang-oh never invited a single guest to Hee-do Won, his residence.

At Kang-oh's age, it would have been natural for him to want to show off what he had. Recognition from others could bring a sense of pride and fulfillment, even without effort. Jin-rang believed that even the desire to seek recognition and show off one's achievements was a natural part of growth. That was why he had decided to watch over Kang-oh, even if he became a bit arrogant under his control.

However, Kang-oh had never once abused Jin-rang's favor. His cautious nature was like an evergreen pine tree, standing alone and unyielding. It was something Jin-rang took great pride in.

However, fish cannot live in a water that is too clear.

Seeing his disciple always wandering outside without forming any real connections within the Black Sky Clan, Jin-rang began to question his own judgment.

He had thought that Kang-oh, who had once been made into a complete blank slate, had easily caught up with the twenty years of achievements others had built up. But if there was truly that much emptiness within him…

If he truly lacked even a trace of selfishness or greed, then what was he supposed to do?

Jin-rang treated Kang-oh as if he were a cracked porcelain vase, handling him with extreme caution. He was the son of his sister—his own nephew—and, unintentionally, Jin-rang had even meddled with Kang-oh's mind. Jin-rang carried the guilt of having destabilized Kang-oh to his very core.

But now, Kang-oh wants to perform a sword dance for his master, the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan. The boy who had never sought out his master first, perhaps to avoid a confrontation with the First Disciple, Mo Yong-yu-woon

"Is there something you want?"

"I don't know." Kang-oh muttered, keeping his eyes lowered. At that complicated expression, Jin-rang waved his hand dismissively.

"Enough."

He suddenly found himself unwilling to hear whatever might come out of Kang-oh's mouth. Such a feeling was rare for him.

"Handle it properly. If any rumors or disturbances arise, I'll step in then."

"I will keep that in mind," Kang-oh replied, bowing respectfully.

Kang-oh clasped his fist in his palm, and in the blink of an eye, Jin-rang was gone. To the untrained eye, it might have seemed as if he had used teleportation.

The trembling merchant, believing that Jin-rang had completely vanished, finally lifted his head. Kang-oh looked down at the middle-aged man and gestured.

"Leave."

The Second Disciple Yeom Seung-han's residence was particularly lavish. He wasn't one to be frugal, and he loved and indulged in beautiful things. To some, he might have seemed no different from a frivolous playboy.

However, Kang-oh knew well that his senior disciple never neglected his martial arts training and had a deep appreciation for the arts.

"What brings my junior disciple to House of Frozen Pond?"

Somehow already aware of Kang-oh's arrival, Yeom Seung-han stood at the doorway with his arms wide open to greet him.

"Senior Disciple, I apologize for coming under such unfortunate circumstances."

"Unfortunate circumstances?" Yeom Seung-han replied with a playful smile, as if he found the situation amusing.

"Is it about my junior disciple committing murder?"

It seemed the Second Disciple had already heard about the events at Honamgak. Though he smiled warmly, it was a clear sign that he was not someone to be taken lightly.

Meanwhile, the merchant, who had been following Kang-oh with a defeated demeanor after meeting Jin-rang, suddenly burst into tears.

Given that there were more eyes on them now than there had been in Honamgak, Seung-han clicked his tongue in disapproval.

If the disciple had killed someone for personal reasons, that would've been interesting in its own way, but the situation wasn't looking good right now.

"Hm. Wasn't it the Southern Lake Group member who did the killing?"

At Kang-oh's gaze, Seung-han quickly tried to backtrack on what he'd just said. Kang-oh wasn't exuding any particular aura or making threats, but the way he simply stared created an odd sense of pressure.

"It seems you already know, so I won't waste time explaining."

"Anyway, let's head inside. I've got some fine wine I set aside before giving it to master."

"We can drink later. Right now, I have some questions about this incident."

Kang-oh spoke politely, and Yeom Seung-han, scratching his chin, took the lead.

"What do you want to know?"

"I heard someone had their tongue cut out at the Medical Hall."

"Oh. Is that the one who died?"

The Second Disciple frowned, as if he hadn't heard that part yet. At the mention of his son, the sobbing of the middle-aged man following behind them grew even louder.

"Enough. You're too loud."

Yeom Seung-han stood tall, his cold, piercing gaze fixed on the merchant. At last, the man's sobs, which had seemed intended for all to hear, came to an abrupt halt.

"He couldn't keep his tongue in check and spread false rumors about the Black Sky Clan. I didn't expect he'd turn up as a corpse in just a day, but... he got what he deserved."

The Second Disciple smirked as he looked past Kang-oh's shoulder at the middle-aged man, his expression practically daring him to respond.

And provoking him was precisely Seung-han's intention.

"What do you mean, 'got what he deserved'?"

No matter how frightened he was, the Merchant couldn't remain silent after hearing such words—his pride as a father wouldn't allow it.

"So what, then? Do you expect the Black Sky Clan to offer compensation because he died unjustly?"

A sly tongue flicked like that of a serpent. The merchant, seeing only Seung-han's outward appearance as a frivolous playboy, had no idea how cold his blood truly ran.

"He was my only child... My son was murdered, and you think mere compensation could make up for it? No amount of gold, even if it weighed as much as his corpse, could settle this!"

So, money wasn't his goal?

Kang-oh and Seung-han reached the same conclusion.

"How interesting."

Yeom Seung-han frowned and asked, "Will you consider it if it's double the amount?"

The Second Disciple scratched his ear, and confusion flickered in the merchant's eyes.

"Very well. Then, Seok-ah,"

Seok, one of Yeom Seung-han's subordinates, stepped forward, leaned in, and whispered something into his master's ear.

"What? We don't have the budget for that?"

"Well, recently, at Hwaweolru, you invited Wang Gyowol, a master of the zither, for lessons…"

"Hmm. Then just put it on Master's tab. He'll take care of it." He shrugged, looking unbearably nonchalant. It was hardly an appropriate attitude considering at least one person had died.

The merchant leader's face turned red and pale, struggling to contain his shock and anger at the disciple's insolence.

"Now, shall we calculate something else?" Yeom Seung-han patted Seok, who looked like he was on the verge of tears at the thought of asking Seo-mun Geumryeong for money, and turned around. The smile that had been on his face moments ago had vanished.

"If I've bought your son's life for twice his weight in gold, then how much should I pay for your tongue?"

"My tongue...?"

"I'd like to question you for barging into the Black Sky Clan, but let's say your old travel pass made that possible. And entering a restricted area without even checking the authenticity of a stranger's letter—I'll overlook that, considering your pitiful fatherly love."

It sounded as if he was making concessions.

"In that case, wouldn't it be fair for me to take your insolent tongue as collateral, since you dared to pin your son's death on the Third Disciple of the Black Sky Clan and his Southern Lake Group?"

"Senior Disciple."

Kang-oh called out to Yeom Seung-han, whose expression was as sharp as a blade. Seung-han clicked his tongue, shifting his gaze from the pale-faced merchant to his junior disciple.

"You are too soft,"

It was a rebuke, telling him not to defend someone like that. But Kang-oh acted as if he didn't understand, clasping his fists together in a polite gesture.

"As your junior disciple, my shortcomings have caused you trouble, Senior Disciple. I apologize."

"Enough. Do as you wish. So, you wanted to hear about the swordman whose tongue I cut out?"

Seung-han waved his hand dismissively. Now that Kang-oh had stepped forward, even if Jin-rang wanted to intervene, he couldn't.

'Well, Master has always been weak when it comes to his disciple, but…'

Swallowing his thoughts, Seung-han began to explain the events of the previous day.

"When I entered the Medical Hall early in the morning, there was a martial artist spreading disgraceful rumors about a guest at Hee-do Won and the Third Disciple of the Black Sky Clan. The content was truly vile, so I used my authority to execute him on the spot. Those who spread false rumors must be punished severely to set an example. Since it was the Medical Hall, I left without offering any treatment."

"By 'false rumors' you mean...?"

"Yes. Vulgar rumors about your relationship with the guest at Hee-do Won were spreading. Even I was shocked by how crude they were."

Kang-oh stiffened at Seung-han's words. He could already guess the specifics of those "harsh words" without needing to hear them, all because of the remarks the merchant had hurled at Honamgak.

"I heard you cherished your servant so much that you even carried him up and down the stairs! You brutally killed my son just because he spread rumors about that wretch, and now you're looking for some mastermind? What are you hoping to find by chasing after a mastermind that doesn't even exist?"

So that's what happened...

Kang-oh had experienced enough rumors to be utterly sick of them.

When the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan brought home a young boy and took him in as his disciple for no apparent reason, rumors spread endlessly. Since the boy couldn't even read or write his own name, and Jin-rang even gave him his own surname, it was only natural for gossip to run rampant.

Those who belonged to the Black Sky Clan naturally admired their master, Jin-rang.

The pride of those who followed the greatest martial artist of the demonic path was immense, and this admiration extended to his direct disciples.

The First Disciple, Mo Yong-yu-woon, was a descendant of a prestigious family. Not only was his martial prowess exceptional, but as he grew older, his outstanding leadership and administrative skills allowed him to dominate those around him.

The Second Disciple, Yeom Seung-han, was the son of the Black Dragon Faction's leader. Though not from a particularly renowned family, his talent in martial arts earned him the title of a genius. His expertise extended to poetry, calligraphy, and painting, earning the respect of many.

However, Jin-rang's Third Disciple was illiterate, showed no signs of martial training, and his origins were unclear. Given the high expectations for the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan's disciples, Kang-oh, who met none of those standards, was harshly criticized and subjected to cutting remarks.

Particularly, more than those who had gone through life and death alongside Jin-rang, it was those who joined the Black Sky Clan after the war—when it had become the greatest power in the demonic path—who, out of their own insecurities, added even harsher words.

Rumors began to circulate, ones that could drag even the prestigious name of the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan through the mud.

"His affection for his youngest disciple is unlike anything seen before. It's as if an emperor were doting on his favorite concubine."

"Isn't it strange that he doesn't provide a separate residence for the Third Disciple and instead chooses to live together?"

"If he doesn't learn martial arts from a young age, it will be difficult for him to reach a high level in the future. Then, maybe what the new disciple is being taught isn't martial arts... but something else?"

On and on... The things said about a young man barely of age were truly vile and twisted.

Since Jin-rang, as the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan, couldn't always be by Kang-oh's side, such whispers occasionally reached the young boy's ears.

By the time Jin-rang learned of it, Kang-oh had already heard the disgraceful rumors spreading within Black Sky Clan. The Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan, enraged, personally tore out the tongues of the vile individuals responsible and destroyed their families. Those who loved to gossip learned a harsh lesson, but that did not turn back time to when Kang-oh was unaware of it all.

As if to make up for it, Jin-rang built Hee-do Won, a place so splendid it seemed like a recreated paradise, and gifted it to Kang-oh. He held all kinds of events, making a show of it by bringing Kang-oh along and seating his Third Disciple prominently beside him.

However, until Kang-oh pushed himself to the brink, learning to read and mastering martial arts to become a true expert, he was merely known in Black Sky Clan as nothing more than a plaything favored by Jin-rang. Even if no one said it to his face, it wasn't because they feared Kang-oh but because they feared Jin-rang.

Throughout this ordeal, Kang-oh endured remarkably well. He remained dignified, choosing to ignore the rumors and letting them pass through one ear and out the other.

However, since words can sometimes wield more power than blades, such experiences undoubtedly affected Kang-oh. He began to think that his very existence was a burden to Jin-rang. Perhaps it was precisely because of those rumors that he could never truly grow attached to Black Sky Clan.

It might have been his modest nature that made him resolve never to covet what belonged to others, but it was also possible that this was an unconscious reaction to avoid giving even the slightest opening for such wicked rumors to take root.

His indifference toward others came from having no expectations of them. There had been so many to resent that he had given up on relationships altogether.

Perhaps that's why, even if he had never been hurt, he was no longer capable of love..

Not surprising." Kang-oh muttered with a blank expression.

Still, Seung-han could sense his displeasure. Though Seung-han was known for his cruel nature, it was unusual for him to get so worked up over his junior disciple's matters. Despite having someone who had come to investigate, he continued to mock the merchant. This behavior stemmed from his past experiences.

He had been pleased to have a youngest disciple join them, but it wasn't long before people started making snide remarks, suggesting that the child might become the Master's husband. Seung-han made sure to silence more than a few of them.

At that moment, a crowd gathered around Yu-woon and Seung-han. Those who had joined the Black Sky Clan later were particularly anxious. Their unease came from the fear that their peers—those from sects once on par with their own—might rise to higher positions simply because they had joined earlier.

When the power struggle among the new factions was intensifying beneath the surface, Jin-rang took in a young disciple. Some misunderstood his actions, thinking he was overly fond of the young boy. They pushed their own young boys to Yu-woon and Seung-han, making them pose as playmates, hoping to present them to the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan. They believed that if they earned Jin-rang's favor, they could secure the fourth and fifth disciple positions for their young boys and gain influence within the Black Sky Clan.

If the Righteous path's problem was its stubborn focus on principles and hypocrisy, the Black path's issue was its ruthless obsession with power. They would do anything to gain it. While Jin-rang firmly rejected those who resorted to illegal activities like drugs or human trafficking, he couldn't completely change the ingrained mindset of the Black path.

Because of that experience, Yeom Seung-han came to despise any rumors involving his fellow disciples.

"If you need help, I'll gather those who were gossiping back then." Seung-han suggested subtly.

Kang-oh clasped his hands in a salute, "Thank you. I'd greatly appreciate it."

It would be much faster for Seung-han, who was present back then, to find them than for Kang-oh to go asking around himself. First, he planned to look for those around the deceased who might have had a grudge against him.

Martial artists rarely tire easily, but mentally, it felt like his hair was being grabbed and shaken violently.

He thought he had simply brought Woo at Hee-do Won to take care of him as he pleased, but had he really just pushed him into a pit of rumors?

Kang-oh knew well how sharp people's tongues could become when no one was watching. No matter how much Hee-do Won was considered his residence, it was difficult for its residents to truly remain loyal to an owner who spent most of the year elsewhere.

Most of them were Jin-rang's people, and Kang-oh was well aware of this. Even Yeon-jin, the maid assigned to Woo, had been receiving orders from the First Internal Officer on behalf of his master.

He had walked around, full of himself, thinking he could save a life with his so-called skills, but in the end, it was nothing but arrogance.

No one, not even Jin-rang, could perfectly protect someone. He might have been a near-godlike figure in the Black Sky Clan, but he was still human, and there were always places beyond his sight.

Kang-oh should have realized this, but his emotions got ahead of him. No wonder Woo wanted to leave.

He had acted as if he would take care of him, but when it came down to it, he couldn't properly protect him. How could Woo possibly trust and rely on him?

"Junior disciple, are you alright? You don't look well."

"I'm fine." Kang-oh, pulled from his thoughts by Seung-han's words, responded.

"Prepare a place for that man to stay. He needs to see for himself how his son died and uncover the truth."

"There are so many guests at the House of Frozen Pond that the only empty space left is the prison."

The merchant, Eon, who had been closely watching the situation, let out a gasp and shrank back at those words. Kang-oh spoke again, his voice a bit lower.

"I'm asking for your help."

Even if Seung-han wanted to tease him, the formality in Kang-oh's tone made it difficult to maintain that playful demeanor.

"Fine. Not that you're particularly cute." Seung-han grumbled, gesturing to his subordinate. Geum-seok, having received his master's order, led Eon, who had become visibly timid since meeting Seung-han, away from the scene.

Only after the two were completely out of sight did Seung-han ask Kang-oh a question. "Do you really think it's a murder case?"

"Since someone died, it's a murder case."

Kang-oh answered bluntly. Seung-han felt the urge to beat his chest in frustration. Sometimes, his junior was a bit too rigid.

First, despite having the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan's favor and the ability to wield power as he pleased, Kang-oh deliberately avoided his master. Second, in unclear situations like this, he prioritized investigation over suspicion.

Having suffered terribly from being the subject of gossip, Kang-oh stubbornly insisted on following proper procedures. Although Seung-han understood his feelings, he knew all too well that taking someone like that too seriously would only make things worse. He looked at Kang-oh with pity.

"That's why I'm trying to find out who attempted to take advantage of that death."

However, Kang-oh wasn't as righteous as Seung-han believed. He had killed the Third Internal Officer solely out of anger because he had abused a mere servant. Since the Third Internal Officer's bribery ledger had ended up in Seo-mun Geumryeong's hands, Seung-han maintained his rosy view of his disciple.

Because of Kang-oh's usual temperament, Seung-han had reversed the order of events in his mind, believing Kang-oh had acted after discovering the ledger, not before.

"Take advantage of it?"

"If it had been just me they targeted, master would've stepped in and crushed them. But instead, they pointed the finger at the Southern Lake Group."

Seung-han, who had wondered why the Southern Lake Group was targeted, recalled that they were all martial artists of humble backgrounds. It was the result of Kang-oh deliberately keeping his faction weak to avoid stirring up the First Disciple's displeasure.

"Whoever it is, they're trying to trap me. They know the Southern Lake Group has no one else to rely on but me, so they did it knowing I wouldn't be able to just back away."

Kang-oh grinned.

"Really... doesn't it feel disgusting?"

Seung-han flinched. It wasn't because Kang-oh had shown his claws. It was because that mocking smile looked unbelievably similar to Jin-rang's.

Disciples are naturally supposed to resemble their masters, but this feeling of déjà vu was different.

"Make sure that man has no chance to interact with anyone outside."

Seung-han, tilting his head in confusion, shrugged at Kang-oh's request.

"Don't worry. Like I said, the only room left right now is a prison cell."

"...Were you serious?"

Seung-han just smirked without a word.