Question

Xiya remained in her seat after the meeting with her closest aides ended.

"That Black Bone Faction in just two days..."

Luoyang was too massive a city, and its underworld was equally vast.

Though the Black Bone Faction's proportion in that vast underworld was small, their numbers and influence were by no means ignorable.

Such a Black Bone Faction was being driven to the brink of annihilation in just two days.

Even now, intelligence about the Black Bone Faction's damage was flooding in.

From information about strange scenes where neither corpses nor bloodstains remained,

Information that those who had business connections with the Black Bone Faction were cutting ties,

Information that the government was responding passively since it involved underworld matters,

Information that the Luoyang Sword Clan showed no signs of movement yet,

And decisively, information about an evil ghost wearing a white mask.

'The Dark Heaven Lord...'

The Crescent Moon Pavilion had thoroughly searched even the slums where that name originated.

But the prophet said to have first spoken that name was already dead.

Information overflowed, but crucial information was lacking, and all leads to obtain crucial information hit dead ends.

Nevertheless, the Crescent Moon Pavilion's core personnel were all rejoicing at the Black Bone Faction's downfall.

Especially since they would have had to endure tremendous damage due to the Bronze Badge's appearance, they rejoiced even more.

Some even said it was heaven's help.

Though Xiya felt somewhat empty seeing their resolve being realized by another's hand, she wasn't unhappy.

But the reason one corner of her heart was complicated was because she had an intuitive certainty about the identity of this being called the Dark Heaven Lord.

That night when she reunited with her sister after ten years and the Black Bone Faction attacked.

She had clearly seen a white mask.

Yuan Zhaoxian, the Luoyang Sword Clan's First Young Master and called by the shameful derogatory title of Swordless One.

He was now staying at the Crescent Moon Pavilion's safe house with Xiya.

"What do you think?"

The female guard standing silently behind her tilted her head.

"About what?"

Xiya realized her mistake and added.

"About the First Young Master, the Sword Clan's First Young Master. I told you to observe him carefully whenever you encountered him."

"Ah, you mean the Swordless One?"

Peculiarly, though she used the derogatory title 'Swordless One,' she showed no signs of contempt.

"I told you not to use that title!"

"Sorry."

The female guard in neat black martial attire with short hair tied back shrugged.

"Just felt he's different from the rumors, that's all."

At the plain answer, Xiya sighed.

"...Don't go around telling people you work at the Crescent Moon Pavilion."

The guard raised her hand.

"Well, among the young men madam meets for business, he was the most confident. Quite bold too."

Though that night's appearance left too strong an impression, Yuan Zhaoxian's demeanor before Golden Lady was quite impressive too.

Especially his ability to control the flow of conversation and changes in situation at will was remarkable.

Even she momentarily thought she'd like to learn from it.

"...That's true."

"Plus he seems quite broad-minded. Should I say magnanimous? I tried pressuring him with presence, even sent killing intent..."

"What?!"

To the pale-faced Xiya, the guard continued nonchalantly.

"But he didn't say anything. Whether he's broad-minded or spineless, hmm."

Xiya jumped up and grabbed the guard's collar.

"You crazy woman! What exactly did you do to the Luoyang Sword Clan's First Young Master?!"

The guard who didn't budge even when shaken by Xiya who had no inner power clicked her tongue.

"Well, that young master's face looks completely harmless to begin with. The way he goes around laughing 'ho ho' like an old child too."

"Even so!"

***

Next, Xiya summoned the maids ordered to attend to Yuan Zhaoxian.

"The First Young Master?"

A maid's eyes sparkled.

"Isn't he so handsome? The very definition of a beautiful youth! That warm smile and occasionally melancholic atmosphere is really amazing!"

"Yes, yes! I wonder if I could follow the First Young Master when he returns to the Sword Clan?"

"Job change! I must go too!"

"Would the Luoyang Sword Clan even accept the likes of you?"

One maid showed a scroll she had preciously held to her chest.

It was an extremely delicate yet elegant writing style.

Such excellent calligraphy that made viewers unconsciously exclaim in admiration.

"Look everyone. This is calligraphy I received from the First Young Master!"

Another maid unfurled a small scroll.

"I received this painting!"

"Wow! Crazy! Sell it to me right now!"

"Shut up and take my money!"

Xiya held her head at the sight of the maids making a commotion with squeals.

"Mm, he is handsome indeed."

"Right?"

Even her guard had joined the conversation sometime.

"Oh no..."

Xiya struck her desk with her pipe.

"Give me proper information!"

There was a reason for her saying this.

Unlike ordinary maids, all the Crescent Moon Pavilion's maids were trained and educated as intelligence agents.

"Honestly, besides being a kind and handsome young master, there weren't any suspicious aspects."

"Even on the nights you told us to observe, he never came out of his room."

"And we can't forget to mention his abundant scholarship and understanding of refinement!"

"Right! Did you hear his flute performance last evening?"

"Of course. I was crying streams of tears right there."

"Ah, I couldn't hear it."

Xiya shouted at the maids who had started squealing again.

"Get out now!"

Xiya grumbled and grabbed her guard's nape.

She had been naturally trying to leave with the maids.

"Why are you naturally mixing in and trying to leave?!"

"Ah, I want to hear the flute performance too."

***

"You mean my master?"

When Jingya asked back, Xiya leaned on the kitchen doorframe with an awkward smile.

"Mm. Nothing special, just wanted to know more about what kind of person my sister's master is."

Jingya smiled gently while skillfully preparing ingredients for soup.

"I don't have much to say."

Somehow her sister's expression seemed to know everything, so Xiya hurriedly added.

"No, not personal interest..."

Jingya chuckled.

"I know that too."

Right...

But with those words, Jingya said no more and focused on cooking.

"No, last time you protested about the First Young Master with veins popping in your neck after I said just a few words..."

Jingya just chuckled again.

Looking at her sister's face beaded with sweat for a moment, Xiya asked.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes. Thanks to you."

"I see. That's good."

Xiya nodded and turned from the doorway.

From behind her came Jingya's soft voice.

"If you're curious, meeting him directly would be best."

Xiya turned her head and asked.

"Aren't you curious?"

"Well..."

Jingya just smiled that smile whose meaning couldn't be understood.

***

Xiya sighed at her final footsteps that wouldn't easily fall.

'If anyone saw me like this, they'd never believe it.'

She fidgeted with the jade box containing premium tea leaves in her hand.

The jade box glistened from the sweat that flowed from her hand.

What had become of herself, who in these circles was called the Iron-Blooded Witch, the One-Eyed Woman without blood or tears?

'Even I get scared when I'm scared...'

In fact, even now her legs went weak thinking of that night.

That sight where it seemed even the cold northern wind submitted and darkness itself worshipped.

Those ominous words where every single one felt strangling.

And that white mask whose expression was hard to find words to describe.

[My path is the netherworld demon path where mountains of corpses and seas of blood spread beyond human bounds.]

His voice, that terrible voice full of metallic sound, was still vivid.

[May we not meet upon it...]

What could the meaning of those words have been?

"Why are you hesitating so much."

The guard walked briskly past Xiya and knocked on the door of Yuan Zhaoxian's room.

"Are you there? The Crescent Moon Pavilion Master is here."

While Xiya was choking, struck speechless by the guard's actions, his voice came from inside.

"Come in."

That voice was gentle, unlike the white mask in her memory, making her feel somewhat relieved.

***

While personally brewing tea with the leaves Xiya brought, Yuan Zhaoxian said to the guard.

"Don't release killing intent today. It changes the tea's taste."

The guard nodded.

"You need not worry. That mission is over."

At her words, Yuan Zhaoxian raised his eyes to look at Xiya.

"It was a mission?"

Xiya gave her guard a look of someone who had experienced the most absurd thing in the world.

"Madam, why are you looking at me like that?"

Regardless, Yuan Zhaoxian shrugged and offered them the brewed tea.

"Here, it's best to drink now."

Xiya quickly rose to receive the cup and said.

"Th-thank you. But there's no need to give the guard..."

"I'll enjoy it well, First Young Master."

Her guard had already received a teacup.

"Excellent fragrance. You seem quite accomplished in tea as well."

"You flatter me."

"Not at all. I'm a woman who doesn't know how to make empty words."

"Haha, you really are interesting. If you ever feel like changing jobs, tell me anytime."

"If I lose my job, I'll visit you. Looking at my current direct superior's mood, it might not take long."

"Hahaha!"

If there was any consolation, it was that she was standing rather than sitting with them.

Her guard tended to have extreme likes and dislikes about people.

She never spoke a word to those Xiya met for business.

Seeing her act so comfortable made Xiya think the First Young Master must not be a bad person, but...

Nevertheless, the image of Yuan Zhaoxian she saw that night wouldn't leave her mind.

"So, what brings a busy person to see an idle one like me?"

As the conversation entered the main topic, her guard naturally moved away to stand by the window.

"First Young Master..."

"Mm."

Yuan Zhaoxian watched her while enjoying the fragrance rising from his teacup.

His enviably pure white skin, face with thin lines like a girl's, and long eyelashes reflected in her pupils.

But to her it felt like that white mask she saw that day was watching her.

That rough white surface with brushstrokes that seemed both smiling and crying, that feeling of seeing through everything though there were no eye holes.

Feeling her lips going dry, Xiya brought out her question.

"Are you the Dark Heaven Lord, First Young Master?"