Poison Doctor took Maki along for some errands. Having prepared a workforce for rehabilitation labor, Poison Doctor was completely captivated by the convenience of using errand runners. Now, it seemed he was determined to work Maki to the bone, as he discovered the joys of having muscle.

“Is he going to take Maki with him when they part ways? That would leave me high and dry.”

But that’s a concern for later; for now, I slowly moved around in the cabin.

“Phew.”

After resting for nearly a full day, I had almost completely recovered. The internal injuries that had my mouth leaking blood were healing in just a day and a half. Poison Doctor really is a miracle worker! He said that by tomorrow, I’d be able to move my Qi normally, so I need to start channeling my energy seriously from then on.

After moving a bit, my stiff joints started cracking and complaining.

“Senior! Are you feeling better?”

“Uh, I think I’m almost there.”

“The bandits already brought the carts, can you believe how fast they are?”

Realizing that there might be bandits keeping an eye on us from a distance, we decided to play the part of critical patients for three days. Black Cat also seemed uneasy about running into Poison Doctor; she would only sneak in for a chat when he wasn’t around.

“So, how’s your body doing, Senior?”

“Well… I had issues I wasn’t aware of, and Poison Doctor helped me figure them out. For now, that’s the temporary treatment wrapped up, but I reckon I’ll need to study my body further with Poison Doctor for some time.”

“Hm… So you’re also going to help Miss Yeo Il-ye along the way?”

“There’s no harm in that, right?”

“No, but doesn’t Miss Yeo Il-ye knock out every outcast she sees?”

“With someone who even gave a Gratitude Plaque? And who helped out in front of the Hwang Gold Clan? Plus, she’s even lent me her precious sword! I figure it won’t hurt to help her a bit. And if she’s an expert of her caliber, getting close isn’t a loss.”

“Still… yeah, you’re not wrong.”

Black Cat seemed frustrated and thumped her chest.

“Senior, let’s look at the immediate problems we face. That gang at Hyeong Gwi-san has the Gangwi Faction! And they have not one but TWO Peak Experts with them! The other bandits may not be much to look at, but their numbers can’t be ignored.”

That was surprising. What kind of a life could a Peak Expert lead as a second-in-command to a faction leader instead of branching out once they hit the peak stage?

“No matter how much it is said that Miss Yeo Il-ye is a disciple of the Jeomchang Faction, she won’t be able to take on two Peak Experts and a horde of varying bandits alone.”

“Yeah, that does sound unexpected.”

“Unless Poison Doctor lends a hand, Miss Yeo Il-ye couldn’t handle the Gangwi Faction by herself. It’s not something you can lightly dive into.”

I understood Black Cat’s point. Truly, with two Peak Experts and all those bandit subordinates, it was worrisome that Miss Yeo Il-ye might get burned in the ensuing chaos.

“But it’ll be okay…”

“What do you mean? Are you saying you’re going to whip up some genius plan to solve that current issue?”

“No, it’s not that… Miss Yeo Il-ye can handle the Gangwi Faction by herself.”

“What?!”

Black Cat responded in disbelief.

“Are you serious? You think she can take on a group led by multiple First-rate Experts and two Peak Experts all by herself? She’s only just stepped into the Peak stage!”

“That’s accurate, but she can manage it.”

Miss Yeo Il-ye isn’t just any Peak Expert.

She’s a Peak Expert possessing attributes and stats that could rival those above the peak stage.

—

“Are you feeling better now, Honorable Person?”

“Thanks to your concern, I’m feeling much better.”

Miss Yeo Il-ye and Ho Cheon-an finally met face-to-face, having removed their masks and caps. As she looked at Ho Cheon-an, Yeo Il-ye thought, this fellow is quite the enigma.

He was an unfathomable Peak Expert wielding the Twelve Dragon Sword Techniques and had a mysterious background. That was how Yeo Il-ye had perceived Ho Cheon-an up to this point.

Even among the Hwang Gold Clan, he had shown remarkable trickery that completely deceived Yeo Il-ye, Black Cat, and Tang Do-gyeong. When they first met at Hyeong Gwi-san, he claimed to be an Iryu Martial Artist, easily overpowering a First-rate Expert without so much as a scratch on him.

Up until yesterday, when he had provided protection in the guise of a martial artist, Yeo Il-ye was convinced that Ho Cheon-an was an absolute expert concealing his true identity.

Yet, yesterday, during the consumption of spiritual medicine, Ho Cheon-an revealed traits that clearly identified him as an Iryu Martial Artist. His reactions showed the effects of the medicine he consumed, and his inability to control his Qi led to his injuries. It was irrefutable evidence of him being a mere Iryu right before Yeo Il-ye’s eyes.

Since then, her mind had been clouded with doubts about Ho Cheon-an.

Was his mastery of the Twelve Dragon Sword Techniques an illusion? Even if that were the case, how did he pass on his realizations to Yeo Il-ye?

‘I may not know his true name, but it’s clear that he is a benefactor.’

“To start, I have two things I’ve always wanted to say to my benefactor. Firstly, I apologize for any threat to your life. Secondly, I sincerely thank you for imparting your realizations to me.”

“Those points have already been addressed with the Gratitude Plaque, haven’t they?”

“However, I can’t be sure if that Gratitude Plaque truly helped you.”

The reason Yeo Il-ye publicly presented the Gratitude Plaque was that she believed it would be of most benefit to Ho Cheon-an. Considering him to be an absolute master, she thought that what he needed most was influence in the light.

Why would a seasoned master, who could grasp the principles of no-knowledge with a mere glance, find any use for assistance from a Peak Expert? Thus, she openly presented the Gratitude Plaque under her name as a disciple of the Jeomchang Faction, using her renown and authority.

‘Giving the Gratitude Plaque in the inn might have put my benefactor in an awkward position.’

“I only worry that I might have caused you some difficulties.”

“It’s fine. Your participation in the gambling games against the Hwang Gold Clan was enough for me.”

Yeo Il-ye smiled as she reached into her pocket, revealing a note worth five golden coins.

“Speaking of which, how did I end up bringing this all the way to Hyeong Gwi-san?”

Ho Cheon-an accepted the note with a slight chuckle, and seeing him made Yeo Il-ye chuckle too. What kind of fate was this? She had been set to kill him in a dark alley and offered realizations, while trying to help him in front of the Hwang Gold Clan, only to lure a challenger while preparing to expose herself to her enemy at Hyeong Gwi-san.

Then through Ho Cheon-an, she had the chance to consult Poison Doctor, and because of Ho Cheon-an’s schemes, she ended up drawing in Mo Yeobu. It was truly an inexplicable relationship.

“Right. You must let go of the hatred for the outcasts.”

“Yes. I despised the world after the mountain villa burned down in my childhood.”

Yeo Il-ye calmly confessed her feelings back then. It was an age of pure rage.

“I learned how not to live hating the world thanks to the teachings of the martial sect, but the weight in my heart did not disappear, leading me to hate the outcasts. The concept you bestowed upon me helped liberate me from the chains of that hate.”

“Once I was freed from the blinding flame of hatred, I realized there was an enemy who harmed my mountain villa. If I wish to face them in the afterlife without shame, I need to appease the souls of my wronged kin from now on.”

Yeo Il-ye said bitterly, “You asked if I still had hatred for the outcasts. Honestly, I still do. In the end, they must have infiltrated the mountain villa through some disguise, and I comprehend that the ‘outcast’ label is merely a pretext they chose for their own ends.”

“However… if only those outcasts had a closer resemblance to chivalrous individuals, they might have spared the lives of my family for a more believable disguise. If they had shown a good side so that people could view the outcasts positively… perhaps they might not have been so skeptical about the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa? Those thoughts are burdens I can’t shake off.”

Seeing the expression on Ho Cheon-an’s face turn to stone, she sighed deeply.

“My apologies, Honorable Person. I regret speaking ill of those means of making a living.”

“No, I appreciate your honesty.”

For a moment, only silence filled the cabin.

“So, Honorable Person, are you considering using my Gratitude Plaque?”

“So far, I haven’t set any specific use for it yet.”

“If I manage to capture Mo Yeobu at Hyeong Gwi-san, the truth about my enemy will be revealed. Even if Mo Yeobu isn’t my enemy, I’d learn how he obtained the Seven Treasures Jewel, so I must go for the vengeance of my kin.”

“Once I uncover the identity of my enemy, I will inform my sect and seek vengeance. I suspect the enemies of the mountain villa will be quite challenging. I won’t easily throw away my life, but there’s also a chance I might fail in my revenge.”

“How can you speak like that?”

“As long as I breathe, I will prioritize completing the tasks you’ve assigned with the Gratitude Plaque… Please keep this in mind. If you’ve decided how to use the Gratitude Plaque, just send a message to the Jeomchang Faction. I’ll rush over as soon as I get the confirmation.”

Ho Cheon-an nodded.

“I understand Miss Yeo’s intent. I will consider this carefully.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

This was their first conversation face to face.

Yeo Il-ye could organize her feelings about Ho Cheon-an, and Ho Cheon-an could begin to understand Yeo Il-ye a little.

“Oh my! Oh my!”

“Ha! A First-rate Expert whining over such a trivial burden!”

A commotion could be heard outside.

“Looks like Poison Doctor is back.”

“Let’s meet again tomorrow.”

Maki brought in Poison Doctor’s belongings and hurried along with the setup. Yeo Il-ye drew out her precious sword and began to polish it. Ho Cheon-an contemplated the route he took to become a First-rate Expert, while Black Cat repetitively pondered the words Ho Cheon-an had shared.

And so, each spent their own time.

Morning broke on the day they were to leave Hyeong Gwi-san.