Chapter 7.2: The Uninvited Guest

The warriors of the White Virtue Clan arrived at the appointed time on the promised day. Dressed in clean white and blue martial robes, the man leading the group carried a spear on his back. Though their numbers weren't large, they moved with precision. Their aura was restrained, but the prominence of their solar plexus points and the sharp glint in their eyes revealed that each one was a master of considerable skill.

The Black Sky Clan opened the gate to greet them. Led by Kong Yool, the martial artists of White Virtue Clan entered the Black Sky Clan, passing between the lined-up martial artists of the Black Sky Clan. It was a situation where they could have easily been overwhelmed by the Black Sky Clan's intimidating presence, yet the expressions and demeanor of the White Virtue Clan warriors remained calm and composed.

Although the two clans were allies, the deep-rooted conflict between the Righteous Path and the Unorthodox Path made their composed attitude all the more fitting. After all, it would have been unwise to send anyone stiff or confrontational when seeking assistance.

It was the First Disciple, Mo Yong-yu-woon, who came to greet these rare guests.

"Welcome, guests from the White Virtue Clan. It's an honor to meet the renowned God of the Five-Blooded Spear of the martial world."

His presence was more than enough to act in place of the Grandmaster of the Black Sky Clan, who had not been seen in public for several years. While his robes were as black as the other Black Sky Clan members, his refined demeanor almost felt closer to that of the White Virtue Clan's. In fact, Mo Yong yu-woon was known in the martial world as 'Gentleman of the Unorthodox Path,'--a title he earned because he rarely acted outside the Black Sky Clan and had never displayed ruthless methods.

Representing the White Virtue Clan, Kong Yool offered a respectful fist salute.

"Thank you for the warm welcome of the Black Sky Clan."

Although both of them were using polite speech, since this was the Black Sky Clan and Mo Yong-yu-woon was being discussed as the next Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan, Kong Yool naturally maintained a respectful attitude toward him.

"Shall we step inside before we talk? I've prepared a place."

At Yu-woon's suggestion, Kong Yool nodded.

"That sounds good."

The God of the Five-Blooded Spear followed confidently behind him, and the martial artists of White Virtue Clan trailed after their representative.

The place Mo Yong Yu-woon led them to was filled with blooming peonies. It was close to his own residence and was often used as an annex, which he had readily offered for his guests

The martial artists of the White Virtue Clan, unaware of these circumstances, seemed slightly surprised by the Black Sky Clan's generous hospitality. It was understandable — although they were allied, their interactions had been minimal, and this visit was to ask for a favor.

Among them, only Kong Yool maintained his composure. He appeared to be a straightforward martial artist, but he possessed a cunning mind and often acted as Dan Woo-Hyo's strategist. Keeping his guard up, he closely observed Yu-woon.

For now, Kong Yool could only assume that the First Disciple's stance reflected the will of the Black Sky Clan. Considering Yu-woon's friendly demeanor, things didn't seem likely to become difficult — yet Kong Yool still found the situation somewhat puzzling.

"My master did not come out personally, but he gladly approved White Virtue Clan's visit. He also instructed us to provide full support if you have any requests."

"That's kind of him."

"After all, Black Sky Clan and White Virtue Clan have been sworn allies since the days we fought side by side against the Blood Cult."

Was it just his imagination, or did the First Disciple's demeanor seem unusually friendly? Then again, his roots did come from a prestigious family within the Righteous Path.

Kong Yool concealed his unease and responded calmly.

"That is true."

"In that case, please rest for today. Once you've recovered from your journey, we can have a thorough discussion about the purpose of your visit."

Mo Yong-yu-woon gestured to the attendants at Mansion of Unity (Ilwon Hall/Pavilion) with a nod.

"I will guide you."

Unlike the martial artists of Black Sky Clan, who exuded a sense of pressure, the attendants dressed in light blue robes carried a softer, more relaxed atmosphere. It was the perfect moment to ease the tension that had been present since crossing the threshold.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

When Kong Yool gave a fist salute, Yu-woon gave a slight nod before leading his attendants out of Mansion of Unity. Each martial artist from the White Virtue Clan was guided to their respective rooms by an attendant.

Only after Yu-woon had left did Kong Yool finally relax his shoulders. However, he did not let his guard down completely.

Although the Black Sky Clan was not exactly enemy territory for the White Virtue Clan, it wasn't a permanent ally either. It was strange for the Black Sky Clan to offer such a warm welcome without even hearing the details of their unexpected visit.

"This way to your room, sir."

An older woman, who appeared to be the most experienced among the servants, approached and spoke. Understanding that martial artists tend to be wary of others, she maintained a respectful distance.

The room he was guided to was neat and well-kept.

"If you need anything, please feel free to call for me."

"For now, I'd like to request bathwater."

"Understood."

Kong Yool didn't take his eyes off her until she had withdrawn and the door was fully closed. Once alone, he opened the wide window, revealing a peaceful view outside.

"…"

A bitter expression briefly crossed Kong Yool's face.

It had been ten years. A full decade.

Kong Yool had wandered across the Central Plains in search of his master, searching again and again. Even after the Princess Yeongrin made the decision to ask Black Sky Clan for help, Kong Yool had little hope left. He was simply too exhausted to keep pulling himself together after countless disappointments had left his emotions in tatters.

Even so, Kong Yool never gave up. The master who had raised him since childhood often pointed a finger at him, calling him stubborn.

"That stubbornness will ruin you one day!"

It sounded like a curse, but in truth, it was closer to a prophecy. Any master who had survived in the martial world long enough to be called an old monster would naturally have a highly sharpened sense of intuition — and Kong Yool's master, King Of Spears, Hyeok Dan-yeo, was no exception.

As a reckless, hot-blooded young man curious about the world, Kong Yool had once scoffed at his master's warnings and fled from his master's remote hut. Armed with a single spear, Kong Yool had taken whatever he desired in the martial world.

Whether it was wealth or fame, there was nothing that didn't fall into his grasp. But having achieved so much so quickly, the arrogant young man soon grew bored with the world. Then he heard that the heir of White Virtue Clan — the most powerful martial sect of the time — was of a similar age. It stirred his interest enough to set out on a journey.

He finally arrived in Luoyang and boldly knocked on the gates of White Virtue Clan, where he met the young Dan Woo-Hyo. At the time, Woo-Hyo had not yet become the Grandmaster of White Virtue Clan — he was still just a young boy known as the young master of the clan.

Seeing his gentle-looking eyes, Kong Yool thought he would be easy to handle. But when he challenged him to a spar, he was flatly ignored. Woo-Hyo's attitude made it clear — he didn't even see a reason to entertain Kong Yool.

Kong Yool considered himself not easily outmatched when it came to nerve, but Dan Woo-Hyo was on another level. What was strange was that it didn't come across as arrogance.

Kong Yool had chased after Woo-Hyo countless times, begging for a sparring match, only to get beaten by Woo-Hyo's guards and tossed out of White Virtue Clan each time. Word of a disciple wandering outside eventually reached the King of Spears, who personally came to the White Virtue Clan. All of it happened because Kong Yool had stayed in one place for too long.

Even when he was about to be dragged away, Kong Yool was frustrated that after all that time, he still hadn't managed to exchange even a single proper blow with Dan Woo-Hyo.

It was when the King of Spears apologized to Dan Baek-hoon, the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster at the time, for his disciple causing trouble. Dan Woo-Hyo suddenly stepped forward and said to the King of Spears:

"He owes me a debt."

Kong Yool had blinked in disbelief, and Woo-Hyo had continued,

"Your disciple has stolen a great deal of my time. He constantly watched for an opening to ambush me, even during my training sessions with my master, during walks, and even when I was having tea, making it impossible for me to rest properly. Moreover, thirty-eight pillars in the buildings were broken because of Kong Yool, eight of the koi in the pond were killed, and sixteen precious trees were cut down by his spear."

He remembered all of that? Kong Yool was stunned, he stared at Woo-Hyo, who slowly blinked at him—a silent signal.

Shocked, Kong Yool couldn't even hide his expression. Woo-Hyo had never once agreed to a proper match or faced him seriously, yet he had remembered all those details?

What was most surprising was that mentioning this didn't seem intended to trouble Kong Yool.

'Paying it back won't be difficult, but…'

Kong Yool's master narrowed his eyes and asked,

"Are you really okay with someone like this?"

It seemed Kong Yool's master had already guessed the reason behind Dan Woo-Hyo's words. Only Kong Yool himself was left dumbfounded, glancing back and forth between the two.

"He may know how to use a spear, but he's arrogant and stubborn as iron. Once he's made up his mind, he never changes it. Even I, his master, can't handle him easily…"

His tone was doubtful. But Dan Woo-Hyo replied calmly,

"It's exactly that stubbornness that makes him appealing."

Although the other party was the King of Spears, Dan Woo-Hyo maintained honorific language without bowing his head. Despite being outmatched in both experience and aura, his refusal to back down was impressive.

Hyeok Dan-yeo always said that Kong Yool was stubborn, but he himself wasn't easy to handle either. It was no wonder that Kong Yool had given up trying to persuade him and had run away instead.

"Yool, do you admit to the loss you caused White Virtue Clan?"

When his master turned to him and asked, Kong Yool realized that this was Dan Woo-hyo extending a lifeline to him.

"I-I did! I owed a debt, so of course I had to repay it. Master, you're leaving now, aren't you? I'll settle my debt quickly and follow after you."

"You'll probably end up with more debt instead of repaying it."

Sighing as he watched his disciple pat his chest, King of Spears Hyeok Dan-yeo pulled out an old martial arts manual from his robe and handed it to Kong Yool.

"Study this thoroughly. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me."

"…"

"The martial world is dangerous. I wanted to send you out when you were ready. But it seems I failed to realize that you had already been prepared for a long time. That's what happens when you get old."

Clicking his tongue, Hyeok Dan-yeo turned away. Kong Yool immediately reached out and grabbed the hem of his master's robe as he was about to leave.

"I'll make sure to visit you."

At those words, the deep wrinkles around the King of Spears' usually stern eyes seemed to soften.

That was how Kong Yool ended up joining the White Virtue Clan.It was less a bond between a master and his subordinate and more of a debt relationship from the start.

"Why did you help me?"

Despite being in debt, Kong Yool's tone as he questioned Dan Woo-Hyo about his actions was almost shameless.

Dan Woo-Hyo, who had been reading a book, lifted his head slightly and glanced at him before replying, "I know someone similar to you, so I acted on impulse. If you want to leave, then leave. I won't stop you."

After saying that, Dan Woo-Hyo had returned to his book, as if he'd already forgotten Kong Yool's presence.

What had Kong Yool been thinking as he watched him then...? Even now, Kong Yool couldn't clearly remember. It had been a complicated feeling that couldn't be put into words. And just as Dan Woo-Hyo's impulsiveness had kept Kong Yool in the martial world, Kong Yool's own impulsiveness had kept him by Dan Woo-Hyo's side. It was a strange relationship

The longer he spent with Dan Woo-Hyo, the more Kong Yool came to understand him. Kong Yool eventually realized why Dan Woo-Hyo had stepped forward to block the King of Spears when he arrived at the White Virtue Clan to take his disciple away.

It was only natural. After spending so much time together under the guise of a subordinate serving his master, Kong Yool came to understand how Dan Woo-Hyo's gaze was always filled with longing yet devoid of any real hope, and the way he looked at Dan Baek-hoon's back.

Dan Woo-Hyo, who was struggling while bound to something he didn't want to be tied to, reminded Kong Yool of his former self. The only difference was that Kong Yool had chosen to break free from his master's shadow, while Dan Woo-Hyo would remain bound forever.

He was someone who knew how to swallow his pain. Kong Yool had once run away, unable to endure the chains that bound him. Yet Dan Woo-Hyo remained tethered to his father–not because he was weak, but because he was strong.

That fact held Kong Yool captive. Even though he had never intended to serve Dan Woo-Hyo as his master, he eventually found himself watching Dan Woo-Hyo's back the same way Dan Woo-Hyo watched Dan Baek-hoon's.

Who is born strong? There are only people who desperately struggle not to break.Some, like Kong Yool, endure until their shoulders are crushed... only to flee when they can no longer bear it. But Dan Woo-Hyo would rather choose to crumble completely.

That determination — so raw and painful — was something Kong Yool couldn't help but dwell on.

As Kong Yool spent time with Dan Woo-hyo, he gradually became influenced by him. Hoping to be a worthy presence behind Dan Woo-hyo, who would one day lead the Righteous Path, Kong Yool worked hard to ensure he wouldn't appear lacking. It was around this time that Kong Yool's skills began to improve significantly.

Although he had received a martial arts manual, he couldn't have mastered it alone. He would often visit his master, who would smile faintly and say,

"Your eyes have improved."

Was that true? Even as he wondered, Kong Yool rubbed the corner of his eye, feeling embarrassed.

Despite being filled with effort, his days remained rather ordinary. But all of that was overturned when the master of the White Virtue Clan suddenly disappeared and was later found dead. Kong Yool, who had been away on an excursion was worried that his lord — who had lived with the hope that Dan Baek-hoon would look back on him — might truly fall apart this time, hurriedly returned to the White Virtue Clan.

"You're back?"

The same voice as always. The same face as always. The only difference was the clothes and the seat they were sitting in.

"Yes."

Time had not been indifferent, yet now he could smile and offer greetings. Still, for someone who had just heard of Dan Baek-hoon's passing, Dan Woo-Hyo was far too calm. That should have been the first sign that something was wrong.

After Dan Baek-hoon's death, Kong Yool had become so busy assisting his lord in filling the void left by Dan Baek-hoon that even having ten bodies wouldn't have been enough. The existing order was shaken as the hierarchy was reorganized. Some couldn't accept the death of the previous Grandmaster, while others questioned the new Grandmaster's qualifications because of his young age.

As a result, Kong Yool, despite being Dan Woo-Hyo's closest aide, barely had time to spend with him. He was too focused on reorganizing the structure. Kong Yool even assigned his subordinates to deliver reports in his place.

On one of the rare days he met with Dan Woo-Hyo in person, Kong Yool felt a sense of relief upon seeing his lord looking composed, albeit with traces of fatigue. Despite losing his father, Dan Woo-Hyo seemed to be managing well.

With the support of the Flight Winged Group's leader, Kong Yool's efforts, and Dan Woo-Hyo personally reaching out to the existing White Virtue Clan officers, the new Grandmaster's leadership gradually stabilized.

Then one day, while Kong Yool was in the middle of delivering a report, he heard that Dan Woo-Hyo had suddenly rushed out. Concerned, he went searching for him.

"My Lord!"

"…I must have worried you."

Dan Woo-Hyo returned on his own, as if nothing had happened. Life seemed to return to normal as if nothing had changed. But even after that, there were times when he would disappear alone. According to the leader of the Flight Winged Group, there were signs that Dan Baek-hoon had been murdered, and Dan Woo-Hyo had been secretly investigating the matter ever since.

There were indeed times when Kong Yool's lord seemed precarious. However, Kong Yool believed that Dan Woo-Hyo simply needed more time. After all, overcoming the shadow of Dan Baek-hoon — his father, mentor, and the previous Grandmaster — was no easy task.

'He should take a little time to rest…'

During the day, Dan Woo-hyo poured himself into administrative duties and and never neglected his martial arts training, and at night, he pursued the investigation into Dan Baek-hoon's death. Kong Yool only realized the extent of his lord's strain after he had to support Dan Woo-hyo when he stumbled while getting up from his seat.

"My lord!"

A martial artist of Dan Woo-Hyo's caliber, someone who had reached an extraordinary level, had far greater stamina and endurance than an ordinary person. Staying up for several nights shouldn't have affected him in the slightest. Even though Dan Woo-Hyo quickly regained his balance, the fact that he had wavered at all was alarming.

Dam Woo-Hyo had been pushing himself relentlessly—perhaps ever since Dan Baek-hoon died and he returned to the White Virtue Clan.

"It's enough now. Please stop."

Dan Woo-Hyo was a generous lord, but this was overstepping the line. Even so, Kong Yool couldn't hold back from saying it.

"Father left me his internal energy. He must have known the disaster that would befall him."

Dan Woo-Hyo was a martial artist of exceptional talent, and he was also born under the most favorable circumstances. As the son of the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster, he had received the finest care from birth and had consumed all kinds of rare elixirs. Yet even so, Dan Woo-Hyo's immense internal energy and exceptional mastery often seemed difficult to explain. For the first time, Kong Yool learned the truth — Dan Baek-hoon had transferred his own internal energy to his son.

"…"

He couldn't help but be astonished. For a martial artist, their internal energy was as precious as their own life. Dan Baek-hoon had a duty to take care of him as his successor, but there was no trace of affection. What could have driven Dan Baek-hoon to pass down his internal energy to Woo-Hyo?

Perhaps Kong Yool now understood the root of the emotions that had driven Dan Woo-Hyo to push himself so relentlessly.

If his father had not passed on his internal energy, would he have felt the need to push himself so ruthlessly? Was that what he had been thinking all along?

"He entrusted this to me."

It was then that Kong Yool realized—Dan Woo-Hyo hadn't given up on Dan Baek-hoon. The man who had kept telling himself 'one day, one day' had now reached a point where he could no longer let go, even if he wanted to.

Kong Yool had put aside his own duties to follow his lord, doing his best to ease his burdens. But there was only so much an outsider could do.

One day, Dan Woo-Hyo returned after disappearing for a time, carrying a wild-looking young boy in his arms.

"Lord, who is that child?"

"He holds a clue to my father's death."

"Pardon?"

"I've been searching all this time... and I finally found him."

Dan Woo-Hyo murmured those words while holding the child close as if he were something precious. Since it was Peng, one of Dan Baek-hoon's closest aides, who had been retracing Dan Baek-hoon's movements, Kong Yool had no idea how things had progressed. Still, he couldn't help but be shocked at how fixated his lord had become on a child who could barely speak.

The fortunate thing was that, thanks to the boy discovered while retracing Dan Baek-hoon's steps, Dan Woo-Hyo had finally been able to rest a little—even smile. Despite Dan Woo-Hyo's striking beauty, Kong Yool had only ever seen the stern face of a dignified clan leader. It was the first time he realized Dan Woo-Hyo could smile so brightly, like a blooming flower.

His obsession with retracing Dan Baek-hoon had eased somewhat as well, as caring for the child required constant attention. Seeing his lord asleep while holding the child, who clung to the hem of his robe even in sleep, Kong Yool thought that perhaps he could finally feel at ease.

The White Virtue Clan was finally settling down. Despite his youth, the young Grandmaster managed people with remarkable skill and handled relations with external sects smoothly.

Then, Dan Woo-Hyo had to leave. He claimed it was to find Jang Bo-do, but before departing, he quietly told his trusted aide, Kong Yool, that this time, he might have finally found a real clue.

As always, Kong Yool waited for Dan Woo-Hyo. But this time, he never returned.

Spring passed, summer faded, and autumn deepened. Even though the winter when Dan Woo-Hyo had left had come around again, he was nowhere to be seen. There was no news from Peng, who had left with his lord. Even the boy Dan Woo-Hyo had brought with him had vanished without a trace.

Kong Yool was accustomed to filling the void whenever his lord was absent. However, this time, he finally accepted the reality that Dan Woo-hyo might not come back. He neglected even his duties at the White Virtue Clan, devoting himself entirely to tracking Dan Woo-Hyo's whereabouts.

It was almost like repeating his lord's path—following Dan Woo-Hyo's footsteps as he tirelessly investigated the circumstances of Dan Baek-hoon's murder.

Some even whispered that the position of White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster was cursed, destined to bring early death to each successor, as if they were bearing the consequences of slaughtering the Blood Cult. They claimed that the White Virtue Clan was cursed by the dying screams of the Blood Cult's members.

It was nonsense.

Around the time Dan Woo-Hyo's junior, Namgoong Ji-yak, was being considered as the acting head of the clan, Kong Yool was summoned by the Princess Yeongrin. He was taken aback to receive a call from someone who had been living almost in seclusion within her quarters at the White Virtue Clan.

"I heard you are searching for my son," Seol Bu-yong asked in a gentle voice.

"Yes… I will accept any reprimand. However, even if I am stripped of my position in White Virtue Clan, even if I am forced to live as a wanderer again, I will never give up on finding my lord."

"Reprimand... What reason would I have to push away an ally who still believes my son is alive?"

"…"

Though Kong Yool was known for being shrewd, he gritted his teeth to keep himself from crying when Seol Bu-yong called him an 'ally.'

"I will give you full authority over the search."

"…! Is that really possible?"

The Imperial Princess Yeongrin was the previous Grandmaster's wife and the mother of the current Grandmaster. Kong Yool had believed her role was purely honorary, with no real power. Surprised, he asked again, but Seol Bu-yong only smiled — the same blossom-like smile Kong Yool had once seen on Dan Woo-Hyo's face.

And so, Kong Yool became the one fully responsible for the search.

As the years passed, hope gradually faded into despair. Yet even when Kong Yool returned after each failed attempt, Seol Bu-yong always greeted him with a calm expression.

It wasn't because she had given up on Dan Woo-Hyo's return. Even now, some of the White Virtue Clan's officials were voicing support for appointing Namgung Ji-yak as the next Grandmaster. Despite this, Seol Bu-yong was the one investing the most resources into the search.

More than that, she carefully selected places where Dan Woo-Hyo was likely to be. Through an information network unknown even to Kong Yool, she ordered searches at locations where someone resembling Dan Woo-Hyo had been sighted.

But every search ended in failure.

Giving up on finding his lord was not an option. Yet for ten years, an emotion that could only be described as guilt had boiled inside him, growing stronger with each passing day.

For ten years, those thoughts haunted him. If only he had kept warning Dan Woo-Hyo about the dangers he faced... If only he hadn't optimistically assumed that Dan Woo-Hyo would return on his own when he disappeared and had instead sent a search party right away... If only he had known a little more about the previous White Virtue Clan Grandmaster's whereabouts—something that only the Flight Winged Group's leader had been aware of... If only…

Those thoughts kept Kong Yool awake deep into the night, wondering if Dan Woo-Hyo might still be with them had he acted differently.

Those sleepless nights that followed made him recall the pale figure of his lord during the day. Now, he seemed to finally understand the turmoil Dan Woo-Hyo had endured as he investigated his father's death day after day, slowly wearing himself down.

It was far too late.

'Where are you…?'

Kong Yool gritted his teeth.

Even if the search seemed endless, he didn't care. No matter how treacherous the path, he believed he could find him.

But the thought that tormented him the most was the possibility that Dan Woo-Hyo might still be alive — and yet unable to return to the White Virtue Clan.

Kong Yool's lord was a man with a strong sense of responsibility. Burdened by guilt over his father's death, he had dedicated much of his time and effort to the affairs of the White Virtue Clan. Dan Woo-Hyo's determination to preserve everything Dan Baek-hoon had left behind was almost obsessive.

If he were alive, he would have come back. There was no way he would stay away of his own will.

The fact that he hadn't returned to the White Virtue Clan could only mean that there was a significant reason behind it. Most of Kong Yool's guesses so far had been grim.

The best-case scenario was that he had lost his memory due to an accident.

'Please…'

As long as he was alive, Kong Yool believed he could rescue him no matter the situation. Even if it was selfish of him, Kong Yool desperately hoped his lord was still alive.